Gianni Pes

Family clustering in Sardinian longevity: A genealogical approach

This paper aims to discuss the validation and family determinants affecting the longevity of Sardinian centenarians, using a genealogical approach. This preliminary study presents the first results of a genealogical tree reconstruction of selected centenarians aged 105 and over, from certain areas. These are mostly situated in the province of Nuoro, an area with the highest rate of centenarians and where the female-to-male sex ratio tends to be male-biased. An accurate centenarian age validation was performed that required a meticulous examination of numerous civil status records and parish registers. An important finding was that longevity occurs among the ascendants of a particular branch of the family. The data used are still provisional but, should it apply to other validated cases, it would provide empirical evidence of a genetic component in longevity. A more thorough examination of the data available may yield deeper insights into the role played by endogamy and consanguinity.

Spectrophotometric measurement of hydroperoxides at increased sensitivity by oxidation of Fe2+ in the presence of xylenol orange

The method, developed by modifying the FOX methods described by Wolff (Methods Enzymol. 233, 182-189, 1994), involves the oxidation of Fe2- by peroxides at low pH in the presence of both the ferric-complexing dye xylenol orange and sucrose, the amplifier of the reaction. The method proved to be a convenient, simple and efficient assay for the direct measurement of both water and lipid soluble peroxides. In fact it improves by about 60% the sensitivity of the FOX1 method for water soluble peroxides, and by 7-8 times that of the FOX2 method for lipid soluble peroxides. It allows the detection of 0.1 microM peroxide in the test solution. The method is suitable to measure the lipid hydroperoxides present in phosphatidylcholine liposomes and in human LDL. The data obtained allowed us to define a mathematical expression to calculate the lipid hydroperoxide content of liposomes knowing their oxidation index.

Clinical pattern of celiac disease in a population residing in North Sardinia (Italy)

Celiac disease (CD) was first described by Aretaeus from Cappadocia in II century after C. The impressive clinical picture of a patient with life-threatening diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss, neurologic disorders and osteopenia is now often replaced by the mostly atypical symptoms or an asymptomatic presentation. When unrecognized and untreated, the celiac disease is associated with increased mortality. In order to collect information on the clinical presentation of celiac disease in North Sardinia, Italy, data on 287 patients with biopsy examination-proven celiac disease were obtained. Women predominated (87%). Overall 78,2%, 53,2% and 44,7% of patients showed classical, subclinical/silent or atypical, and no gastrointestinal features of celiac disease, respectively. Anemia was the main mode of presentation, occurring in 53% of patients. Diarrhea was less frequent (41,5%), although never severe. In conclusion, in North Sardinia a significant proportion of patients with CD are seen more commonly with non-diarrheal presentations than those with diarrhea. To recognize atypical symptoms could be the most important step in the diagnosis and further treatment.