Accessing information on medical/health web sites by Italian families: a pilot study.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Bernabei
Publications and source records attributed to A Bernabei.
Effects of estrogens and androgens on erythrocyte antioxidant superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities during the menstrual cycle.
The effects of physiological changes in estrogens and androgens on the erythrocyte antioxidant superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities during the menstrual cycle were investigated in healthy eumenorrheic women. Blood samples were taken on alternate days from twelve normally cyclic women (age range: 20 to 27 years; mean age: 24.1 years) from the first day of one menstrual cycle until the first day of the subsequent one. Plasma was analyzed for FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, free testosterone and androstenedione concentrations. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were evaluated on the same days and cycle length was standardized on the basis of the preovulatory estradiol peak. Significant cyclic phase-related changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05), with higher glutathione peroxidase activity levels from the late follicular to the early luteal phase compared with those found in the early follicular phase (P<0.001 and P<0.002 respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between mean estradiol and glutathione peroxidase cycle-related variations (r=0.80, P<0.001), whereas no significant cycle phase-dependent changes were seen in superoxide dismutase and catalase. No effect of progesterone and androgens on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme system was documented. The findings indicate that physiological ovarian estradiol production during the menstrual cycle may have an important role in regulating erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity.
Adult↗
[Combination of beta-interferon and laser-CO2 therapy in female HPV genitalis].
230 women affected by HPV genital infection diagnosed by macroscopic examination, colposcopy and Pap test, were divided into two groups, of 95 and 135 people respectively, homogeneous for lesion localization and extension. The first group was treated with laser CO2 and the second group was treated with laser CO2 and intramuscular beta-interferon. We evaluated the side effects, the clinical results and the incidence of recurrences after 1, 6 and 12 months after the complete destruction of the lesions. At the first control, in both groups, we found no persistence of the lesions. At the second control after 6 months recurrences were present in 19 patients of the first group and in 7 patients of the second group. 51 recurrences were present after 12 months in the first group and 14 in the second group. The difference, evaluated with the chi 2 test, was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01 after 6 months and p < 0.001 after 12 months).
Adolescent↗
Iloprost and echistatin protect platelets during simulated extracorporeal circulation.
Temporary, reversible inhibition of platelets during cardiopulmonary bypass is an attractive strategy to protect platelets and normalize postoperative bleeding times. Iloprost, an analogue of prostacyclin, and the disintegrins reversibly inhibit platelets by different mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that reduced doses of iloprost and either echistatin, a natural disintegrin, or RO43-5054, a peptidomimetic, in combination provide better platelet protection than any drug alone during simulated extracorporeal circulation. Thirty-five recirculation studies using fresh, heparinized human blood in an extracorporeal perfusion circuit that contained a 0.45-m2 spiral coil membrane oxygenator were performed. Iloprost, but neither echistatin nor RO43-5054, increased platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Combinations of iloprost and either fibrinogen receptor antagonist at reduced doses submaximally increased platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Platelet adhesion and release of beta-thromboglobulin antigen was completely inhibited by combinations of the two classes of drugs, but only partially inhibited by each drug alone. Combinations of drugs also completely inhibited platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate; these platelets retained full sensitivity to adenosine diphosphate after 90 minutes of recirculation when drugs were removed by gel filtration. We conclude that combinations of iloprost and a fibrinogen receptor antagonist at doses that are unlikely to produce clinical side effects completely inhibit platelet activation and preserve platelet function during in vitro extracorporeal circulation.
Adenosine Diphosphate↗
Reversal of heparin anticoagulation by recombinant platelet factor 4 and protamine sulfate in baboons during cardiopulmonary bypass.
The ability of recombinant platelet factor 4 and protamine to neutralize heparin after cardiopulmonary bypass was compared in anesthestized baboons. Clotting titration curves of heparinized baboon blood demonstrate an anticoagulant effect of protamine that is not seen with recombinant platelet factor 4. Neither drug caused meaningful changes in central pressures or cardiac output within 30 minutes after injection. After 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass, recombinant platelet factor 4 normalized thrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times within minutes of injection, but protamine did not. Neither drug altered bleeding times. Recombinant platelet factor 4 caused a species-specific leukopenia in baboons and significantly increased activated complement protein 3 (C3a) more than protamine. However, the increase in plasma C3a was small and neither drug caused a significant increase in plasma neutrophil elastase-alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor complex. We conclude that recombinant platelet factor 4 is effective and safe in baboons, does not have an anticoagulant effect with excess concentration, and reverses in vivo heparin more rapidly than protamine. The data support progression to a clinical trial.
Animals↗
Leiomyoma of the ovary. Case report.
The leiomyoma of the ovary is a very rare form of ovarian neoplasia, while its uterine localization is very common and diffused. It occurs prevalently in post-menopausal women usually causing abdominal swelling and pain. Such a case occurred in our observation and we report it here.
Female↗
Recombinant desulfatohirudin as a substitute for heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
Tissue factor is expressed on monocytes during simulated extracorporeal circulation.
Certain forms of extracorporeal circulation exemplified by cardiopulmonary bypass require continuous high-dose anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolic complications. We hypothesized that monocytes may be stimulated to express tissue factor (TF) during prolonged simulated extracorporeal circulation. TF was identified both by flow cytometry by using three TF-specific monoclonal antibodies and functional assay of procoagulant activity (PCA). TF significantly increased between 2 and 6 hours of simulated extracorporeal circulation by both analyses. Relative fluorescence on monocytes increased from a control value of 100 to 313 +/- 79 on cells from the simulated extracorporeal circuit (p < 0.05). PCA increased from 21 +/- 8 to 775 +/- 326 pg TF/10(6) monocytes (p < 0.05) and was blocked 99.6% by preincubation of cells with a mixture of monoclonal antibodies to TF. By 6 hours, the number of leukocytes in the circuit was decreased by 43%. The cells were recovered from the oxygenator membrane by washing with EDTA. Compared with initial values, by 6 hours, both TF antigen at 378 +/- 90 (p < 0.05) and PCA at 1,357 +/- 280 pg TF/10(6) monocytes (p < 0.01) were highest in the recovered cells. Cells incubated for 6 hours and not subjected to simulated extracorporeal circulation did not increase TF. Examination of monocytes for the adhesive receptor CD11b/18 (Mac-1) paralleled TF expression, providing an additional putative receptor for the coagulant proteins, factor X and fibrinogen or fibrin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antigens, CD↗
Upregulation of Mac-1 surface expression on neutrophils during simulated extracorporeal circulation.
The leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (alpha m beta 2, CD11b/18 CR3, MO1), in addition to binding iC3b, has been shown to be the receptor for the coagulation proteins fibrinogen, factor X, and high molecular weight kininogen. Mac-1 is known to be upregulated by agonists that stimulate neutrophils or monocytes. Previous studies from this laboratory have documented neutrophil activation during cardiopulmonary bypass. We therefore used an experimental model for cardiopulmonary bypass, a simulated extracorporeal circulation, to study the surface expression of Mac-1 on peripheral blood leukocytes by immunofluorescence flow cytometry. The number of Mac-1 receptors in polymorphonuclear leukocytes had increased 2.2 times and 2.9 times baseline by 2 hours at 37 degrees C and 28 degrees C, respectively (p < 0.001). Neutrophil elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes (a measure of neutrophil degranulation) increased more than sixfold from 41 micrograms/L to 256 micrograms/L after 2 hours at 28 degrees C. The number of Mac-1 receptors expressed on polymorphonuclear leukocytes correlated with polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase complexes (r = 0.93). Mac-1--bearing lymphocytes did not display any change in receptor number in the simulated extracorporeal circulation. By 2 hours, monocytes at 37 degrees C showed only insignificant increase; at 28 degrees C they displayed a 1.6 times increase (p < 0.05). By maintaining a temperature-matched standing control samples, we could prove that, unlike the Mac-1 in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, this increase in monocyte Mac-1 is not from bypass but is rather an effect of temperature. These data suggest that a receptor for procoagulant proteins on circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Mac-1) is upregulated during simulated extracorporeal circulation.
Adult↗
Simultaneous ovarian and intrauterine pregnancy: case report.
The simultaneous presence of an ovarian and a normal intrauterine pregnancy is a very rare condition. We report such a case seen as an ovarian cyst during gestation. It was immediately and successfully treated, thus allowing for the normal physiologic continuation of the gestation.
Adult↗
Methods for detecting early signs of AIDS dementia complex in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimal diagnostic procedures for identifying early signs of AIDS dementia complex (ADC) in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals, in order to prevent further cognitive function impairment by early treatment. DESIGN: Study patients had been referred electively and consecutively to hospital; all had been referred for the first time and gave informed consent. Inclusion criteria were (1) lack of history and/or symptoms of psychosis and neurological disorders; (2) lack of active viral, protozoan or fungal pathology; (3) abstinence from heroin and/or cocaine for at least 6 months before baseline evaluation. SETTINGS: Subjects were seen at the L. Spallanzani Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy between March 1989 and March 1991. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-two asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects: 41 drug users, 27 homosexuals and 14 heterosexuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All subjects were evaluated using Wechsler-Bellevue I, Benton C form and Bender tests. Thirty-nine subjects underwent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 12 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The immunological status of each subject was determined. RESULTS: On psychometric testing, 23 out of the 82 (28%) asymptomatic subjects had a mental decay percentage (MD%) > or = 20%. Cerebral perfusion abnormalities were detected in 31 out of 39 (79.48%) subjects who underwent SPECT; MRI abnormalities were observed in seven out of 12 (58%) subjects. Twelve out of 23 subjects with MD% > or = 20, 15 out of 29 subjects with SPECT abnormalities and four out of seven patients with MRI abnormalities had total CD4+ lymphocyte counts > or = 500 x 10(6)/l. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of abnormal SPECT and of MD% > or = 20 in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients, and the lack of correlation between immunological status and degree of mental decay, SPECT and MRI abnormalities raise many questions about subclinical HIV-1 neurological disease.
AIDS Dementia Complex↗
Multianalytic study on cervical HPV lesions.
Nowadays new sophisticated techniques of molecular biology based on the principles of hybridization between nucleic acids, allow a correct diagnosis of genital HPV infection. In the present paper, beside traditional diagnostic methods, we used In Situ Hybridization (ISH) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33. We tested ten patients affected by cervical lesions of high histological atypias associated with HPV, who underwent surgical conization. Types 6 and 11, at low risk of evolution, are less frequent than 31 and 33, at medium grade of evolution, and than 16 and 18 which are at high risk of evolution.
Adult↗
Gonadotropin, prolactin and thyrotropin pituitary secretion after exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate administration in normal women.
The effect of exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHAS) on luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) pituitary secretion was studied in 8 normal women during the early follicular phase. The plasma levels of these hormones were evaluated after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation performed after placebo or after 30 mg DHAS i.v. administration. The half-life of DHAS was also calculated on two subjects; two main components of decay were detected with half-times of 0.73-1.08 and 23.1-28.8 h. The results show an adequate response of all hormones to GnRH or TRH tests which was not significantly modified, in the case of LH, FSH and PRL, when performed in the presence of high levels of DHAS. However, the TSH response to TRH was significantly less suppressed (p less than 0.05) (39%) after DHAS administration than during repeated TRH stimulation without DHAS (51%). The data support the hypothesis that DHAS does not affect LH, FSH and PRL secretion, while TSH seemed to be partially influenced.
Adult↗
Evaluation of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in women with benign and malignant gynecological disease.
Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) was assayed in healthy subjects and in women with benign and malignant gynecological diseases. Significantly lower levels were found in boys than in healthy adult subjects. No variations in level were evident over the course of a 24 h period. At a cut-off level of 20 micrograms/l elevated concentrations were found in 42%, 11.4% and 19% of women with ovarian, endometrial and cervical neoplasia, respectively. In patients with ovarian tumors TATI level were elevated both in mucinous and serous tumors. TATI does not seem to be useful for diagnosis of uterine tumors, but could have a specific place in the study and management of ovarian tumors, in which serum concentrations can reach levels 100-200 micrograms/l. In the other gynecological diseases maximum levels of 30-40 micrograms/l were observed.
Adolescent↗
Combination of flavone acetic acid (FAA) with adriamycin, cis-platinum and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in vitro against human colon cancer cells.
Unresectable solid tumors in the metastatic stage are quite resistant to current chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens. Flavone acetic acid (FAA) is a novel antitumor agent which appears to work through a different mechanism than the conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In preclinical studies it has shown effectiveness against a variety of transplantable murine and human tumors and appears to be solid tumor selective. It also has non-overlapping toxicities as compared to conventional agents. We therefore investigated FAA in vitro against human colon cancer cells and explored whether its effectiveness could be enhanced in combination with other agents such as adriamycin (ADR), cis-platinum (CP) and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)--an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis. Addition of FAA for 24 hours in liquid media produced dose dependent growth inhibition. Using soft agar colony assay, growth was inhibited by 58% by 3mM FAA and only 1.4% by 0.375mM FAA. The combination of FAA and cis-platinum produced synergism at the lower doses tested. The combination of FAA and adriamycin produced antagonism at all doses tested and the combination of FAA with DFMO did not produce results significantly different from DFMO alone. We conclude that enhancement of FAA activity can be achieved in combination with conventional antitumor agents, but may be drug and dose specific.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
[The combined effect of an ethinylestradiol/desogestrel contraceptive combination on blood lipids and parameters of liver function and coagulation].
The present study aims to evaluate the contraceptive efficacy of the new combination ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms)/desogestrel (150 micrograms) and, moreover, to demonstrate its low side effects compared to the symptoms present in the pretreatment cycles. In particular the authors took into consideration the changes in serum lipids, and hepatic and coagulation function parameters induced by pill, in 40 healthy women. An interesting result is that the estrogen induced increase of cholesterol-HDL is not antagonized by the desogestrel that has a slight affinity to androgenic receptors and SHBG. This is obviously of great importance in the prevention of atheromatous lesions.
Adolescent↗
Plasma and cyst fluid levels of delta 5 and delta 4 steroid hormones in women with gross cystic breast disease.
delta 5 and delta 4 steroid levels were studied in the plasma and cyst fluid of women with gross cystic breast disease (GCBD). In luteal phase a significant increase in plasma levels (mean +/- SEM) of DHA (11.2 +/- 2.4 ng/ml), DHAS (1.45 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml) and cortisol 277 +/- 15.7 ng/ml) was found; in follicular phase the mean levels were 4.09 +/- 0.47 ng/ml for DHA, 0.65 +/- 0.08 microgram/ml for DHAS and 190 +/- 46.3 micrograms/ml for cortisol. The DHA/DHAS and cortisol/androstenedione ratios were significantly higher in the plasma and lower in the cyst fluid of GCBD patients, than in the plasma of controls; the androstenedione/DHA ratio was higher in the cyst fluid than in the plasma of controls. The hormonal situation of the GCBD patients thus differed from that of the controls both in the plasma and cyst fluid, particularly as regards the delta 5 steroids.
Adult↗
Chronic sulpiride treatment produces supersensitivity of striatal adenylate cyclase to dopamine in sexually immature or adult castrated rats.
Sulpiride, a substituted benzamide antipsychotic drug, is considered to be a selective antagonist at dopamine D-2 receptors, largely because it does not inhibit dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. It was found that sulpiride in vitro can block dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat striatum from sexually immature or adult castrated male rats. Chronic treatment with sulpiride (20 mg/kg i.p. twice daily for 15 days) resulted in supersensitivity of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in striatum from sexually immature (3-4 weeks old) as well as adult castrated rats. The apparent Ka was decreased 4-fold in the sulpiride-treated animals, whereas the apparent Vmax remained unchanged. This treatment did not alter dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the striatum from adult male rats. Acute treatment with sulpiride was slightly inhibitory to dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase in striatum from the immature rat, suggesting that the supersensitivity after repeated injections could be a compensatory increase. In in vitro studies it was found that sulpiride at nanomolar levels could inhibit the ability of low concentrations of dopamine to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in striatal particulate fractions from sexually immature or adult castrated rats. Sulpiride did not affect dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the adult rat striatum. Our results indicate that sulpiride can affect dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in animals that are lacking testosterone, or perhaps estrogen. This suggests that sex hormones could regulate the sensitivity and pharmacological profile of dopamine receptors for their ligands.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗