In vitro response of rat microglia and human polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) to immunoactive compounds

Lombardi, Valter RM,Eetcheverria, Ignacio,Fernandez-Novoa, Lucia,Diaz, Joaquin,Seoane, Silvia,Cacabelos, Ramon Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2005 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.5 No.3

Although the field of study in immune enhancing compounds is relatively new, natural products from plants represent a rich and promising source of novel molecules with immunomodulating properties, Microglial cells, the main immune effector cells of the brain, usually display a ramified morphology and low expression levels of immunologically relevant antigens such as MHC class I and class II. Since any compound which participates in activation of phagocytic cells contributes to the production of potentially toxic factors, the search for convenient in vitro test-systems and study of mechanisms of action of these agents are of great interest. Human blood polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells and primary microglial cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were used as cellular screening tests for study of phagocytosis-stimulating action of immunomodulating agents. Numbers of phagocytic activity were evaluated by the phagocyte ingestion of yeast cells and NO-synthase activity, nitrite production, and nitroblue tetrazolium test were determined after phagocyte stimulation. It was possible to demonstrate that indexes of phagocytic activity can be used as quantitative indicators for measurement immunomodulating activity. As a positive control, Zymosan A-induced phagocytosis in both PMN cells and primary microglial cells was used. $IFN-{\gamma}$ (0.1 -1 U/ml) stimulated phagocytosis in PMN cells 1.2 times after 2 - 3 h incubation, although at higher concentrations (10 - 100 U/ml) it strongly inhibited phagocytosis. In a similar way, at higher concentrations, $IFN-{\gamma}$ (100 - 500 U/ml) suppressed phagocytosis in zymosan-A stimulated microglial cells. When Polypodium leucotomus, cambricum and vulgare extracts were tested alone, increased levels of phagocytosis were observed in PMN. In addition, microglial cells showed both increased phagocytosis and MHC class-II antigen expressions. Surprisingly, when PMN and microglia were treated with a combination of Polypodium and $IFN-{\gamma}$, phagocytosis was not inhibited. We did not find changes in NO-synthase activity and nitrite production in both microglia and PMN cells activated by different immunomodulating agents. These results indicate that primary microglial cell cultures as well as human PMN cells can provide reproducible quantitative results in screening phagocytic activity of different immunoactive compounds. Furthermore, both inhibitory or activation mechanisms might be studied using these in vitro experimental approaches.

Extracts from Polypodium ferns upregulate the expression of CD95 in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Lombardi, Valter R.M.,Etcheverria, I.,Fernandez-Novoa, L.,Blanco, A.,Diaz, J.,Cacabelos, R. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2003 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.3 No.2

There are several data in the literature indicating a great variety of pharmacological activities of Polypodium genus, which exhibit antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Since one of our main interests is to obtain natural immunoregulatory agents devoid of pharmacological adverse effects, we used flow cytometry analysis to highlight relative contributions of a water-soluble fraction of different concentrations of Polypodium rhizome extracts on lymphocyte subpopulations, NK and LAK activity. To measure their potential immunoregulatory activity a T cell proliferation assay in response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and mixed lymphocyte reactions were chosen. As a confirmatory bioassay we studied the effect of our extracts on CD45RO and CD95 antigen expressions. The results indicate that CD95 expression dramatically increases after peripheral blood lymphocyte activation and treatment with Polypodium leucotomus, cambricum and vulgare extracts, suggesting a powerful intrinsic pro-apoptotic effect.

Spatial variability analysis of soil strength to slope stability assessment

Lombardi, Mara,Cardarilli, Monica,Raspa, Giuseppe Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.12 No.3

Uncertainty is a fact belonging to engineering practice. An important uncertainty that sets geotechnical engineering is the variability associated with the properties of soils or, more precisely, the characterization of soil profiles. The reason is due largely to the complex and varied natural processes associated with the formation of soil. Spatial variability analysis for the study of the stability of natural slopes, complementing conventional analyses, is able to incorporate these uncertainties. In this paper the characterization is performed in back-analysis for a case of landslide occurred to verify afterwards the presence of the conditions of shear strength at failure. This approach may support designers to make more accurate estimates regarding slope failure responding, more consciously, to the legislation dispositions about slope stability evaluation and future design. By applying different kriging techniques used for spatial analysis it has been possible to perform a 3D-slope reconstruction. The predictive analysis and the areal mapping of the soil mechanical characteristics would support the definition of priority interventions in the zones characterized by more critical values as well as slope potential instability. This tool of analysis aims to support decision-making by directing project planning through the efficient allocation of available resources.

Cicred Inter-Center Cooperative Research Program : Country Reports ; CHANGEMENTS TECHNOLOGIQUES ET PRODUCTIFS - LEUR REPERCUSSION SUR LA DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE ET L'URBANISATION DE L'URURGUAY

(Mario Lombardi) 부산대학교 사회조사연구소 1990 도시화와 인구분포 Vol.- No.-

COMPARISON OF TWO MULTIPHASE PROCEDURES ON A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IN RAIN CONDITIONS

Giovanni Lombardi,Antonio Ercoli,Marco Maganzi,Giacomo de Angeli 한국자동차공학회 2019 International journal of automotive technology Vol.20 No.6

In automotive design, the study of the water thin layer over a car due to rain is becoming increasingly important: the challenge is to obtain a way to describe the behavior of the water over a vehicle in rainy conditions and its interactions with wipers and drainage systems, to determine potential failures of the vehicle design. In this paper two similar numeric procedures have been realized with the software STAR CCM+® to analyze the dynamic of water thin layer starting from the impingement of the rain on the car surface and taking into account even the motion of the wipers over the windshield. Moreover, the water that flows through the drainage systems is monitored to figure out if the water could produce a malfunction of components near them. In order to describe each status of the water, many multiphase models are used. These methodologies have been applied on a commercial vehicle model and the results have been examined and compared to each other. The analysis shows a better description of the reality for one of them, leading to the possibility of using it as a design tool in the automotive industry.

Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

Judy Downs-Lombardi 대한사고개발학회 1995 The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Vol.5 No.1

Society's Child : A Mini-Workshop in Critical and Creative Thinking

Judy Downs-Lombardi 대한사고개발학회 1997 The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Vol.7 No.2

While critical thinking and creative thinking are seen as fields formed by expert ideas and informed opinions, newcomers to the concept still ponder definitions and interpretations. Essential to our understanding of thinking skills and their applications is some agreement on meanings and quality implementation of thinking programs. This article explores the commonalties and differences in perspectives on critical and creative thinking and recommends ways for novices to both fields to enter the dialogue.

How to prevent the postoperative pancreatic fistula with an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx<SUP>Ⓡ</SUP>)

Francesco Crafa,Francesco Esposito,Adele Noviello,Nicola Moles,Enrico Coppola Bottazzi,Carmelo Lombardi,Antonio Miro,Giulio Lombardi 한국간담췌외과학회 2018 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.22 No.3

Backgrounds/Aims: Despite the advances in identifying risk factors, improving operative technique, and postoperative patient care, pancreatic leakage after pancreatic resection remains a highly debated topic. The aim of this study is to describe our technique and our initial experience with the intraoperative embolization of the main pancreatic duct with an Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (Onyx<SUP>Ⓡ</SUP>). Methods: Two patients of 63 and 64 years underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for a cholangiocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma, respectively. At the time of pancreatic parenchyma resection, a Wirsung duct was identified and catheterized. A wirsungography was done and then, embolization with Onyx<SUP>Ⓡ</SUP> was carried out under fluoroscopic control. Results: Neither of the patients developed a postoperative pancreatic fistula. They were discharged to home on the 17<SUP>th</SUP> and 18<SUP>th</SUP> postoperative day, respectively. At the last follow-up, no recurrence was found. The two patients became diabetics; both needed the support of supplementary pancreatic enzymes. Conclusions: To our knowledge, we are the first to describe this technique, which seems safe and reliable. Studies on this subject with more patients are needed to confirm the validity of this procedure.

Wind and solar energy: a comparison of costs and environmental impacts

Carnevale, Ennio A.,Lombardi, Lidia,Zanchi, Laura Techno-Press 2016 Advances in energy research Vol.4 No.2

This study is concerned with the analysis of two renewable technologies for electric energy production: wind energy and photovoltaic energy. The two technologies were assessed and compared by economic point of view, by using selected indicators characterized by a clear calculation approach, requirement of information easy to be collected, clear, but even complete, interpretation of results. The used economic indicators are Levelized Cost of Energy, $CO_2$ abatement cost and fossil fuel saving specific cost; these last two specifically aimed at evaluating the different capabilities that renewable technologies have to cut down direct $CO_2$ emissions and to avoid fossil fuel extraction. The two technologies were compared also from the environmental point of view by applying Life Cycle Assessment approach and using the environmental impact categories from the Eco-indicator'95 method. The economic analysis was developed by taking into account different energy system sizes and different geographic areas in order to compare different European conditions (Italy, Germany and Denmark) in term of renewable resource availability and market trend. The environmental analysis was developed comparing two particular types of PV and wind plants, respectively residential and micro-wind turbine, located in Italy. According to the three calculated economic indicators, the wind energy emerged as more favorable than PV energy. From the environmental point of view, both the technologies are able to provide savings for almost all the considered environmental impact categories. The proposed approach, based on the use of economic and environmental indicators may be useful in supporting the policies and the decision making procedures concerned with the promotion and use of renewables, in reference to the specific geographic, economic and temporal conditions.

Management of Pseudarthrosis With Implant Failure at a Multilevel Vertebral Column Resection Site: A Case Report

Venkat Boddapati,Joseph M. Lombardi,Lawrence G. Lenke 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.4

Pseudarthrosis in the setting of 3-column osteotomies such as vertebral column resection (VCR) is not well described, and pseudarthrosis at the VCR site itself has never been reported. This study reports pseudarthrosis with 4-rod implant failure at a multilevel VCR site. The authors report a case of pseudarthrosis in a patient treated previously for severe segmental thoracolumbar kyphosis resulting in significant pain and myelopathic signs in the setting of radiation therapy for metastatic myeloma. This patient initially underwent 2-level VCR (T11, T12) and fusion from T4-sacrum. This was complicated by pseudarthrosis and associated with same-level 4-rod fracture, resulting in prominent, painful implants, and worsening kyphosis. This patient underwent revision VCR during which time significant motion was found only at the site of the prior VCR with a loose anterior cage. A new expandable VCR cage was placed and the spine was reinstrumented, resulting in significant improvement in coronal and sagittal alignment. Pseudarthrosis at a VCR site has not been previously described. Technical considerations presented in the revision procedure include a 6-rod spanning construct, meticulous endplate repreparation, and the generous use of osteo-inductive and -conductive augments to promote solid fusion.