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Biomedical subjects

A Bruno

Publications and source records attributed to A Bruno.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Influence of structure on the behavior of flavonoids in capillary electrophoresis.

In an attempt to elucidate the relation between structure and electrophoretic behavior, the effect of pH, surfactant and buffer on electrophoretic mobilities and resolution of several flavonoids, differing in structure, has been investigated. Ring-B substitution and the presence of a free hydroxy group at C7 of ring A play an important role, whereas O-methoxylation is less significant. Glycosylation also contributes in determining different degrees of complexation with borate, thus affecting the mobilities.

Borates↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of primate and canine models for bone ingrowth experimentation, with reference to the effect of ovarian function on bone ingrowth potential.

Bone growth into porous composite (mesh-bead) titanium plugs was compared in elderly (postmenopausal) female monkeys and female dogs as a means of validating the cross-species interpretations so often made between data from research on dogs and human applications. The effect of oophorectomy on bone ingrowth in the canine model was defined by the comparison of data on fractional ingrowth in animals that had had oophorectomy and in control animals that had had a sham operation. No significant difference in bone growth into the experimental plugs was identified between the two animal models, which lends credence to cross-species interpretation of existing data from dogs. The presence or absence of active ovaries did not affect the ingrowth fraction in the canine model; this suggests that existing data are not confounded by the lack of control of ovarian function. Estrogen depletion does not appear to influence bone ingrowth adversely.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide response to oral glucose after intravenous administration of hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone in man.

Glucocorticoid-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance are dependent on the type of steroid, its dose and route of administration. Although the intravenous (i.v.) route is used mainly, the effects of different steroids have so far been compared using the oral route. The present study was therefore planned to compare the effects on glucose metabolism of hydrocortisone (HC) and methylprednisolone (MP) administered i.v. at equivalent antiinflammatory doses in healthy subjects. Eighteen healthy volunteers with normal glucose tolerance, divided into three groups (A,B,C) matched for age, sex and body mass index were subjected to oral glucose tolerance tests (oGTT) 12 h after HC or MP i.v. injection. The two tests were performed at a 1-month interval and in random sequence. Group A received low doses (HC 100 mg, MP 20 mg), group B intermediate doses (HC 200 mg, MP 40 mg) and group C high doses (HC 400 mg, MP 80 mg). Serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured during both fasting and oGTT. Serum glucose values were not significantly different after HC or MP, during both fasting and oGTT. However, there was a positive correlation between fasting serum glucose or the area under the glucose curve and the dose.kg-1 body weight of HC (r = 0.748; r = 0.462) and MP (r = 0.708; r = 0.736). Serum insulin values were significantly higher after MP than after HC when fasting (A: 115 vs 223; B: 95 vs 215, C: 158 vs 268 pmol.l-1) and as area under the oGTT curve (A: 57.8 vs 87; B: 48.5 vs 92.1; C:57.8 vs 94.5 pmol.l-1 x 2 h).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML-M0): cytochemical, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of 19 cases.

We describe our experience in the identification of 19 cases of AML-M0 categorized among 200 consecutive AML cases. Leukaemic cells from our cases were morphologically marked by agranular basophilic cytoplasm, finely dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli. In two cases heavily vacuolated and monocytoid-shaped blasts were also observed. Cytochemistry (MPO, SBB, alpha ANAE, alpha NBE, NASDCAE, AP, PAS) was negative in 14 cases, five cases expressing a very faint cytoplasmic positivity for alpha NBE (not exceeding 30% of the blasts) and alpha ANAE (not exceeding 41%) which was sodium fluoride resistant. In these five cases other monocytic markers (e.g. CD14) were not in favour of myelomonocytic differentiation. All the cases were anti-MPO positive at frequency > 10%. Phenotypic analysis also revealed myeloid features with all the patients having at least one myeloid antigen (CD13, CD33, CD15), Tdt was expressed in nine cases and CD7 in six cases. All cases but one were positive for CD34. Cytogenetic analysis, performed in 16 cases, showed no adequate growth in two cases and no consistent abnormality in four; among the remaining 10 cases no consistent abnormality was observed, the most common finding was trisomy 8 (two cases) and 4 (two cases) and aberrations of chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 21. No cases of (t9;22), Ph chromosome were observed. Interestingly three out of five patients with faint alpha NBE/alpha ANAE positivity relapsed as typical M4 (one case) or M5a (two cases).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Clinical features of ischemic stroke in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in New Mexico: a study of 341 consecutive patients at two hospitals.

This study was undertaken to determine whether there are any differences in the clinical features of ischemic stroke between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in New Mexico. From August 1988 to August 1990, one investigator prospectively evaluated consecutive patients who presented within 30 days of onset of stroke or transient ischemic attack and entered data into a computerized stroke registry. Several important vascular factors were recorded. Patients presented to either a Veterans Affairs Medical Center or a University Medical Center (a county facility). There were 112 Hispanics and 229 non-Hispanic whites with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Non-Hispanic whites were more likely to have ischemic heart disease (P = .01) and ischemic (vs nonischemic) causes of potential cardiogenic emboli (p = .05) than were Hispanics. The following were not significantly different between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites: prevalence of vascular risk factors, death within 30 days of stroke, vascular territory involved, infarct location, prevalence of extracranial carotid stenosis, or cardiac sources of emboli. Our study does not show an obvious difference in the clinical features of ischemic stroke between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in New Mexico.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prognostic value of cell marker analysis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

Clinical and cytologic characteristics were correlated to immunologic markers in 154 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) was selected to identify differentiation-associated antigens of both the myeloid and the lymphoid lineages (CD13, CD33, CD14, CD15, CD7, CD34, CD10, HLA-DR, CD19, CD2, CD5, TdT). The expression of multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-170) was also evaluated in 117 patients. Differences in antigenic expression was observed among the various French-American-British (FAB) subgroups. HLA-DR was poorly expressed on the blasts of acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3), and was always found in FAB M5. CD34 was detectable in all M0 cases and only in one M3 (p < 0.001). Lymphoid-associated antigens were positive in 74 cases (48.1%). In particular, CD7 was found in 49 patients (31.8%), and TdT in 30 (21.3%), 15 samples displaying coexpression of these two antigens. The incidence of CD7+ cases was particularly elevated in M0 and M5 AML (p = 0.005). It significantly correlated with the expression of CD34, HLA-DR, P-170 (p < 0.001, p = 0.018 and p = 0.034 respectively), and with a leukocyte count > 50 x 10(9)/l (p = 0.038). Sixty-nine (59%) samples demonstrated P-170 positivity. Again, this phenotype was particularly expressed in the poorly differentiated forms (M5, M0 and M1) and showed significant correlation with the immaturity markers CD34, CD7 and HLA-DR (p = 0.013, p = 0.022 and p = 0.001, respectively). Expression of individual antigens correlated with prognosis. Refractoriness to first line therapy was associated with CD7 expression (p = 0.002) and P-170 (p = 0.001). The CD7 marker was also significantly associated with a very low overall survival (p < 0.001) and continuous complete remission (p < 0.001). CD14 expression also significantly predicted lower survival rates (p = 0.033). The combination (CD7+ CD14+) identified a subset of patients with a particularly adverse outcome. The prognostic value of CD7 expression, alone or in combination with other markers, was confirmed in multivariate analysis.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1994

[Control of plasma aluminium in hemodialyzed patients. Optimization of the method].

As concerning biological matrix, the analytic technique in AA-ETA if on one hand shows remarkable sensitivity, on the other it offers reasons that make it not much reproducible. Our aim has been to optimize and standardize the methodic for the dosage of the Al-s paying a special attention on the contamination risks and on the interference problems in reading phase. If we choose accurately consumption materials and the reagents, aluminium contamination problems may be remarkably reduced avoiding all those decontamination operations often complicated; besides it is possible optimize a thermical program which allows the dosage of the Al-s without using chemical modificator. In this work has been practiced a quality control on 103 couples of samples relative to 62 dialyzed patients and blinded compared to the operator, obtaining a CV of 5.4% on the total average of 45.2 micrograms/l. We are convinced that at the present state the high quality of reagents and the utilisation of disposable materials individually wrapped, and even less the remarkable progress of electronics instrumentation of the last generation allow the use of this technique in a widespread way also in laboratories not particularly specialized.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Feedback inhibition of insulin and glucagon secretion by insulin is altered in abdominal obesity with normal or impaired glucose tolerance.

We investigated the feedback inhibition of insulin and glucagon secretion during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp at about 350 pmol/l in 16 patients with abdominal obesity [8 with normal glucose tolerance (oNGT), 8 with impaired glucose tolerance (oIGT)] and 8 normal-weight subjects matched for age, sex and blood pressure. In oNGT and oIGT, fasting plasma C-peptide levels were twice those in the controls (962 +/- 51 and 915 +/- 85 vs 439 +/- 28 pmol/l, P < 0.001) and their suppression was lower than in the controls, both in absolute terms (155 +/- 19 and 185 +/- 17 vs 274 +/- 18 pmol/l, P < 0.001) and as a percentage decline from basal levels (16 +/- 2% and 21 +/- 2% vs 63 +/- 2%, P < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucagon levels were similar in the patients and in the controls, but were less suppressed during clamp in oNGT and oIGT, both in absolute terms (7.0 +/- 0.9 and 5.6 +/- 0.6 vs 13.2 +/- 1.2 pmol/l, P < 0.001) and as a percentage change from basal levels (23 +/- 3% and 19 +/- 2% vs 44 +/- 4%, P < 0.001). These results suggest that the insulin feedback on B and A cells is impaired in abdominal obesity, and that this defect is of similar degree in oNGT and oIGT. These alterations could be implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperinsulinemia in obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

All-trans retinoic acid plus low doses of cytarabine for the treatment of "poor-risk" acute myeloid leukemias.

Thirteen refractory/resistant AML patients no suitable for additional aggressive chemotherapy, were treated with a combination including all-trans retinoic acid (45 mg/m2 sine die) and low doses of Ara-C (20 mg/m2 subcutaneously, twice in a day, days 1-10, every 28 days). Ten patients were evaluable; 8 of them achieved a complete remission, two patients with an important tumor burden, failed to achieve a response. One complete remission patient relapsed after 7 months but is still receiving the same therapy and is now in partial remission. We believe this combination effective as inducer of complete remission in those AML patients which cannot tolerate additional heavy treatments. The role of tumor burden in affecting response to therapy remains to be still evaluated.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

HIV-1 and parasitic infections in rural Tanzania.

A sample of 300 sexually-active adults was selected at random from patients, from the rural area of Malenga Makali, Tanzania, who were attending a dispensary because they had diarrhoea of at least 2 weeks' duration. The potential associations between the patient's health (in terms of the World Health Organization's clinical definition of AIDS), HIV-1 seroprevalence and malaria and other parasitic infections were then investigated. Although, HIV-1 seroprevalence was 20.6% overall, the level of seroprevalence was directly correlated with the distance between the patients' home villages and the nearest main road. Strict application of the clinical definition of AIDS gave 98.7% specificity, 46% sensitivity and a predictive value of 90.6% when validated by HIV-1 seropositivity. Although malaria infection was more common in HIV-1 seropositives than in the seronegatives, the intensity of the Plasmodium falciparum infections, intestinal amoebiasis and giardiasis did not appear to be correlated with HIV-1 infection. In contrast, intestinal infections with Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli were virtually restricted to HIV-1 seropositive individuals who had had diarrhoea for a relatively long time.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Clinical outcome and brain MRI four years after carbon monoxide intoxication.

Brain damage from carbon monoxide intoxication has not been extensively studied with magnetic resonance imaging. We report the clinical outcome and brain magnetic resonance imaging in three individuals simultaneously exposed to toxic levels of carbon monoxide four years previously. Lesions are seen in multiple locations and do not correlate well with the clinical condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Activity of bilobalide, a sesquiterpene from Ginkgo biloba, on Pneumocystis carinii.

The sesquiterpene bilobalide, extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves, was tested in vitro and in vivo for the ability to inhibit Pneumocystis carinii growth. Bilobalide was inhibitory to trophozoites cultured on human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HEL 299) at approximately the same concentration as trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole (lowest effective concentration, 50 micrograms of bilobalide per ml versus 9/45 microgram of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole per ml), inducing microscopically detectable morphological changes in the cytoplasm of the parasite. In pharmacologically immunosuppressed Sprague-Dawley rats transtracheally infected with a suspension of about 5 x 10(6) P. carinii trophozoites per ml, the daily intraperitoneal administration of bilobalide (10 mg/kg of body weight for 8 days) lowered the number of organisms by approximately 2 logs (that is, about 99%). There was no apparent toxicity either in uninfected HEL 299 feeder cells or in infected and uninfected animals. These studies suggest that the sesquiterpene bilobalide might be useful for therapy of and prophylaxis against P. carinii infections in humans.

Acetone↗
PubMed1993

Stroke associated with ephedrine use.

Several sympathomimetic agents have been associated with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Ephedrine, a sympathomimetic drug that has a high potential for abuse and can be readily obtained without a prescription in unrestricted quantities, has rarely been associated with stroke. We report ephedrine-related stroke in three patients. One patient developed a thalamic infarct after ingesting known quantities of ephedrine as street-purchased "speed" for weight loss. Two patients had fatal intracranial hemorrhages after ingesting unknown quantities of ephedrine; one of them had a history of drug abuse, and one lacked a history of ephedrine use or drug abuse. Ephedrine appears to predispose to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The mechanisms responsible for the different cerebrovascular complications remain to be proven. Restriction of ephedrine availability should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Ischemic stroke, Part 1: Early, accurate diagnosis.

To be consistent with a diagnosis of TIA or stroke, a focal neurologic deficit must have occurred suddenly. The differential diagnosis of TIA includes migraine aura (possibly without a headache), a hypotensive episode, radiculopathy, and an unusual seizure. Vascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, smoking) and the extent of their control should be determined. Cardiac examination and ECG may provide important clues, as atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disorders are well recognized potential sources of emboli. During an acute stroke, CT is the best test to reliably distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Other tests that may be indicated on an individual basis include MRI,, echocardiography, carotid duplex ultrasound, and arteriography.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Ischemic stroke, Part 2: Optimal treatment and prevention.

The goal of medical treatment during acute cerebral infarction is to enhance thrombolysis and inhibit the chemical alterations associated with cell death. Treatment includes avoidance of blood pressure reduction, blood glucose control, possible anticoagulation with IV heparin, and sometimes reduction of cerebral edema. Optimal treatment thereafter depends on the result of patient evaluation. Uncontrolled vascular risk factor (eg, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes) should be treated. Aspirin and ticlopidine reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. In patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation with warfarin reduces the risk of embolic events. Carotid endarterectomy is superior to medical management alone in reducing the risk of stroke in patients with > 70% symptomatic extracranial carotid stenosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Separation of flavonol-2-O-glycosides from Calendula officinalis and Sambucus nigra by high-performance liquid and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

Calendula officinalis and Sambucus nigra flowers were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). RP-HPLC was performed on C8 Aquapore RP 300 columns with eluents containing 2-propanol and tetrahydrofuran. MECC was carried out on a 72-cm fused-silica capillary using sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium borate (pH 8.3) as the running buffer. The results obtained by these techniques are compared.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗