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Biomedical subjects

A Berardi

Publications and source records attributed to A Berardi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Evaluation of four different methods for platelet freezing. In vitro and in vivo studies.

This report describes our experience with various techniques for the freezing of platelet-rich plasma, removed from the final product after leukapheresis procedures performed on 14 hematological patients. A total of 194 platelet units were frozen for subsequent autologous transfusion, by the following four methods: (1) 6% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); (2) a combination of 5% DMSO/6% hydroxyethyl starch; (3) 3% glycerol; (4) 5% glycerol/4% glucose. Each technique was evaluated by measuring the percentage of platelet recovery, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and lactate dehydrogenase release. To investigate the safety and therapeutic effectiveness of the previously frozen platelets, in vivo comparison of four platelet freezing methods was made in 8 thrombocytopenic patients, using corrected platelet increment (CCI), determined at 24 h. Our in vitro results indicate that the cryopreservation with 6% DMSO, without controlled cooling rate, provides significantly (p less than 0.05) greater platelet recovery (75%) as compared to other systems. The decrease of MDA production and the increase in plasma lactate measured after the thawing process was less in the DMSO-frozen units than in the other platelet units. When platelets, cryopreserved by this method, were subsequently transfused into patients, a significantly better CCI (greater than 5,000/microliters) was obtained. In our series, 6 patients were entirely supported with frozen autologous platelets. It appears from this study that a better understanding of the physical and biochemical events occurring during the freezing process will improve platelet cryopreservation, allowing a more systematic use of frozen platelets in the support of thrombocytopenic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effects of acute infusion of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist arecoline on verbal memory and visuo-spatial function in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

1. Treatment of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) with arecoline, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist, reportedly improves performance on a picture recognition memory task, but not on other memory measures. To examine further possible performance improvements following arecoline treatment, patients with DAT were treated with a 30 min intravenous infusion of arecoline (5 mg). 2. Psychometric testing was done at five time points (two before and three following the infusion). Patients were tested on a memory task (Buschke selective reminding) and a test of visuo-spatial performance (figure copying). 3. No net change from baseline was seen in mean scores following arecoline infusion. However, the changes in performance on the two tasks were correlated (p less than 0.02) over subjects at 10 min but not at 1.5 or 5.5 hr following the infusion. 4. This result suggests that although individual patients vary in their response to a given dose of arecoline, their responses are consistent across types of tasks. Thus the lack of a mean drug effect may be due to individual differences in response rather than to a lack of response.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Density gradient separation of hematopoietic stem cells in autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Recently, the principles of density gradient cell separation have been transferred to the marrow fractionation, and the Ficoll technique by using a COBE 2991 blood cell processor has been developed and widely employed as well. This method is particularly useful in view of a chemical antineoplastic purging intended for autologous marrow transplantation. Forty marrows, which derived from patients suffering with leukemia and lymphoma, were fractionated with Ficoll on a COBE machine and in vitro purged with Mafosfamide at a dose of 50 micrograms/ml/1 x 10e7 MN cells. The density gradient separation enables to reduce the initial volume to 10%, the contaminating RBC to less than 1%, the total nucleated cells to 25% (greater than 80% of MNC) sparing about 80% of the CFU-GM. After purging, the surviving hemopoietic progenitor cells were 2.5%. The clinical effects of the fractionated purged cells were studied in 11 autotransplanted patients and compared with 14 transplants performed with untreated buffy-coat marrow derived cells. Ficoll cells produced less adverse effects at the time of reinfusion, while, as expected, the time of hematopoietic recovery was delayed in these patients (mafosfamide treated cells). These results confirm the usefulness of the gradient density cell separation to reduce the side effects of the DMSO and to make reliable the Mafosfamide purging manoeuvre, preventing the interference of contaminating RBC aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed1991

Effects of long-term continuous infusion of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist arecoline on verbal memory in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by depletion of cholinergic markers in the central nervous system. In an attempt to improve cognitive function in AD, arecoline (a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist) was given to patients with probable or possible AD in a two-phase design, and verbal memory function was examined. First, escalating doses of arecoline, range .5-40 mg/day, were administered by continuous intravenous infusion over a 2-week period. Based on neuropsychological test performance, an optimal dose of arecoline was identified, and this dose then was infused continuously for 5 days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counter-balanced trial. Long-term recall on a selective reminding task was significantly improved (from 11.8 to 20.1 words, p less than .05) during dose finding by arecoline at 4 mg/day. Two of eight patients were nonresponders; that is, they showed no improvement at any dose during the dose-finding study. Responders demonstrated significant improvement on total recall (p less than .05) during the double-blind study. These results indicate that some patients demonstrate reliable improvements of verbal memory during arecoline treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Concomitant purification of prostatic carcinoma tumor markers from human seminal fluid under nondenaturing conditions.

We report a protocol for concomitant purification to homogeneity of both prostatic acid phosphatase [orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2] and prostate-specific antigen, from human seminal fluid. The method requires only two chromatographic steps: passage through an Affigel-Blue column and gel filtration HPLC. This is a fast, efficient procedure for purification of these two important tumor markers, which are specific for prostatic cancer.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Seven-day storage of single donor platelets in polyolefin bags: clinical, biochemical, morphological and microbiological evaluation.

We compared the in vitro and in vivo function of fresh and stored platelet concentrates (PCs) collected by an automated continuous-flow blood cell separator (CS 3000 Fenwal) in a closed-system apheresis kit in order to evaluate the possibility of extending the storage time to seven days with the polyolefin container (PL-732). The initial 220 ml platelet volume (5.14 +/- 1.23 x 10(11) was divided into two parts. Half was transfused and the other half was stored for 7 days. All cultured units were negative for bacterial contamination. Mean counts for fresh and stored platelets were respectively 2.34 +/- 0.59 and 2.17 +/- 0.50 X 10(11)/100 ml of PCs (mean recovery 88.7 +/- 11.9%). The pO2 levels were maintained during storage (179.9 +/- 30.5 mmHg) but pCO2, pH, LDH, osmolality, glucose consumption, bicarbonates, ATP, and osmotic stress values changed significantly after 7 days storage. From a clinical point of view, in 14 patients receiving a total of 38 PC transfusions no statistically significant change in corrected post-transfusional levels was observed between fresh and stored PC. Biochemical and morphological data and clinical results suggest that PCs collected with CS-3000 blood cell separator in a closed system and stored for 7 days in polyolefin bags (PL-732) can be satisfactorily employed in clinical practice.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1988

Enrichment of marrow hemopoietic progenitor cells using a blood cell processor.

A total of 93 bone marrows (BM) from normal donors and patients were processed using the IBM-COBE 2991 blood cell washer to produce a concentrated buffy coat (BC) for either bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or cryopreservation for subsequent autologous BMT. The reduction in volume was 73.3 +/- 8.5% and nucleated blood cells (NBC) recovery was 87.1 +/- 9.1% of original marrow. Red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) contamination was reduced 64.5 +/- 10.9% and 41.2 +/- 24.1%, respectively. Clonogenic activity indicated that the NBC fraction was highly enriched in hematopoietic progenitor cells (greater than 100%) as assessed in vitro (CFU-GM). Results were not affected by diagnosis, initial marrow volume or cell count of the BM suspension. We conclude that this is a simple and reproducible method using blood bank, facilities and permits BC preparation from BM without significant loss of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMed1987

Lingual thyroid. A case report.

Lingual thyroid is a rare example of ectopic thyroid involving major problems in diagnosis, surgical approach and operative procedure. A case is presented with wide review of the literature. The personal operative procedure performed through the oral route is described.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Overall vigilance and sustained attention decrements in healthy aging.

Age differences in sustained attention were investigated using a high-event rate digit-discrimination task at 6 levels of stimulus degradation (lasting 8.1 min each). Twenty-one young, 21 middle-aged, and 20 old healthy subjects were studied. Overall sensitivity (d') was equivalent in all groups. Although all subjects showed a sensitivity decrement over blocks, there were no age-related differences in sustained attention capacity. All subjects had larger decrements in d' over blocks at higher degradation levels. However, the performance decrement at higher degradation levels was equivalent in all groups, indicating similar decrement rates in sensitivity with increasing demands on effortful processing. These results indicate that overall levels of vigilance and the ability to sustain attention over time are equivalent in all groups under conditions requiring both automatic (low-degradation) and effortful (high-degradation) stimulus processing.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Surgical treatment of inguinal hernias with local anesthesia].

Fifty-nine cases of inguinal hernia repair with local anesthesia are shown. The authors stress the advantages of this safe technique permitting an immediate postoperative ambulation and an early discharge of patients, thus reducing complications related a long term bed-stay.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prophylaxis of group B streptococcal infections in the birth centers of Emilia Romagna].

OBJECTIVES: In the last decade several guidelines for prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal invasive disease have been published, mainly based on administration of intrapartum antibiotics. The spread of such recommendations yielded a reduction of the early-onset disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the practices for prophylaxis of neonatal infection in our region during the 2000 and to standardize them according to the new available evidence. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study in Emilia Romagna, sending by mail a detailed questionnaire to the 28 birth centers of our region. RESULTS: Fifteen centers answered to the questionnaire. The practices were often differing from the recommendations of scientific societies. The most sensitive methods to identify colonized women were not widely used. Colonized infants were frequently treated with antibiotics and discharged later from the nursery. The incidence of neonatal invasive diseases was low, but most centers did not regularly collect a blood culture before antibiotic treatment is started. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated meetings among centers promoted the diffusion of information, the implementation of a shared protocol and the spread of the practices. The results of such meetings will be evalued in the next months.

Birthing Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autologous blood stem cell transplantation as intensive consolidation therapy in hematological malignancies.

Ten consecutive patients (pts), suffering from hematological malignancies (5 NHL, 3 ANLL and 2 HD), received high doses of radio-chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Seven of them were in 1st CR, two in 3rd CR and one in refractory status. The recruitment of PBSC was performed during the conventional non-intensive schedule of therapy. The median interval between the remission and the transplant was 6 months (3-15). The pts received a median of 0.96 x10(9) MNC/Kg b.w. and of 3.8 x10(4) CFU-GM/Kg b.w. Hemopoietic recovery occurred promptly and the median number of days to reach WBC greater than 1.0 x10(9)/L was 10 (7-15), PMN greater than 0.5 x10(9)/L was 12 (10-34), platelets greater than 50 x10(9)/L was 13 (10-41) and reticulocytes greater than 20 x10(9)/L was 12 (10-15). Three pts relapsed after 14, 12 and 6 months, respectively. Two of them achieved a further remission and one died. The remaining seven, are alive and disease-free with a follow-up of 11 months (range 2-27).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacological mobilization of haemopoietic progenitor cells in human peripheral blood.

We investigated Prednisone (PRD) and Folinic Acid (FA) ability to recruit stem cells (CFU-S) into the circulating compartment, evaluating CFU-GM, BFU-E and CFU-GEMM count increases in peripheral blood (PB). Fifteen healthy donors were administered 75 mg PRD in one trial, and 15 mg FA p.o. through 5 consecutive days in another trial. We observed a significant expansion for BFU-E and CFU-GEMM compartments, though not parallelled by CFU-GM expansion. FA determined a significant increase in CFU-GM on the 5th day of administration, as well as in BFU-E on day 7. It fails to raise CFU-GEMM. The authors suggest a less empiric persuing for such attempts to optimize the use of non-chemotherapic drugs to recruit hemopoietic precursors into PB, so that these can suit to meet stem cell needs for autologous and allogeneic transplantations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Collection of peripheral blood stem cells in normal donors.

Although committed progenitor cells have been harvested during the standard plateletpheresis, only few experiences were specifically carried out in normal donors. The major drawback is the very low number of circulating haemopoietic stem cells and, besides a donor manipulation, a good harvesting technology is a fundamental prerequisite. To verify the effectiveness of an automate system, twenty normal volunteer donors were randomly assigned to four protocols of simultaneous PBSC and platelet collection. A Baxter separator CS 3000 was employed and we compared the yields and the efficiency of the modified Program 1 plus isoradial chamber (Protocol A), the modified Program 1 plus granulo chamber (Protocol B), the standard Program 3 plus isoradial chamber (Protocol C) and the standard Program 3 plus granulo chamber (Protocol D). The absolute yields for WBC (x10(9)), MNC (x10(9)), platelets (x10(11)) and CFU-GM (x10(4)) were respectively: 10.4, 10.1, 6.5 and 29.5 for Protocol A; 10.1, 9.9, 5.2 and 14.7 for Protocol B; 10.0, 9.9, 5.2, 14.7 for Protocol C, and 12.7, 12.4, 6.8 and 57.4 for Protocol D. The best CFU-GM efficiency was achieved with Protocol D (33%) vs. Protocol A (27.5%), Protocol B (14.5%) and Protocol C (27%). The above differences, although remarkable, were not statistically significant. Though preliminary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of a combined platelet and PBSC collection in normal donors.

Blood Component Removal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human bone marrow processing using Cobe 2991 and CS 3000 blood cell separators for further ex vivo manipulation.

Several automated procedures are now available to enrich stem cells from large bone marrow (BM) volumes prior to ex vivo treatment or cryopreservation. This report details our experience using a ficoll-hypaque (F/H) gradient on Cobe 2991 cell washer and a CS 3000 continuous flow separator, on 90 BM processed for allogeneic and autologous transplantation. In the Cobe series, from 70 BM aspirates, 89 +/- 5% of the original mononuclear cells (MNC) was found in the light density fraction with a erythrocytes (RBC) and granulocytes (PMN) removal of 98 +/- 1 and 97 +/- 4.5%, respectively. Over 80% of the initial myeloid precursors (CFU-GM) were recovered in a small final volume. Twenty BM processing were performed with a CS 3000 separator using program "3" and granulo chamber. This technique yielded 86 +/- 9% of the initial MNC while 85 +/- 10% of RBC and 90 +/- 1.1% of PMN was removed. Over 75% of the original CFU-GM was recovered in the final product. Both techniques are effective to large-scale purification of progenitor cells and readily available as routine procedures for marrow processing.

Adolescent↗