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Biomedical subjects

A Caruso

Publications and source records attributed to A Caruso.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effects of spermidine synthase inhibition in cultured chick embryo fibroblasts.

The administration of bis-cyclohexylammonium sulfate (BCHS), a spermidine synthase inhibitor, to in vitro cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts caused a decrease in cellular spermidine levels and an increase in putrescine and spermine. Cell proliferation rate and DNA synthesis were also inhibited. As protein synthesis did not change, it would seem that low levels of cellular spermidine inhibit cell growth depressing DNA synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of the biological activity of human interferon-gamma by antipeptide antibodies.

To study the domain(s) responsible for the different biological activities of human interferon-gamma (HuIFN-gamma), rabbits were immunized with peptides corresponding to the five most hydrophilic amino acid sequences of the lymphokine. The resulting antisera were able to recognize both the immunizing peptide and the native protein. Antibodies to the carboxy-terminal region (amino acids 125-137) of HuIFN-gamma were able to interfere with the immunomodulating, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities of the lymphokine. Inhibition of the antiproliferative and antiviral activity was also observed using antibodies raised against the amino-terminal region (amino acids 4-16) and amino acids 80-95, respectively, but to a lesser extent than that observed with antibodies to the carboxyl terminus. The capability of these antibody preparations to partially interfere with only one of the lymphokine's biological activities might be explained by a mechanism of steric hindrance. The use of polyclonal antibodies allowed us to limit the presence of epitopes responsible for recombinant (r)HuIFN-gamma biological activities to the carboxy-terminal region.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1992

Early prenatal diagnosis and therapy of fetal hypothyroid goiter.

We report a case of early diagnosis of iodide-induced fetal hypothyroidism at 22 weeks of gestation, confirmed at 29 weeks by cordocentesis and successfully treated intra-amniotically. The ultrasonographic feature was the presence of two echogenic masses in the fetal neck; polyhydramnios was absent. Mild hypothyroidism was diagnosed based on fetal serum obtained by percutaneous umbilical blood sampling at 29 weeks of gestation. The persistence of fetal hypothyroidism in spite of maternal thyroid improvement was confirmed by a second cordocentesis at 35 weeks of gestation, and a single injection of intra-amniotic levothyroxine (250 micrograms) was performed. The serial ultrasonographic examinations showed disappearance of the fetal goiter. A healthy female baby (3,630 g) was delivered at term. At birth, the thyroid gland was not enlarged, and neonatal thyroid hormones were within the normal range. This case suggests that cordocentesis is a reliable method to assess the fetal thyroid status; moreover a single injection of intra-amniotic thyroxine was effective in treating fetal hypothyroid goiter.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vitro evaluation of plasticizer activity on the growth and metabolism of chick embryo fibroblasts and on the development of chick embryo lungs.

Administration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to primary cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts brought about a decrease in cell proliferation rate after 48 h and an inhibition of both DNA and protein synthesis measured by [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine, respectively, after 48 h. The growth of chick embryo lung rudiments in vitro was also depressed by DEHP treatment. Lung rudiment were smaller in DEHP-treated embryos after 6 days' treatment. These results indicate that DEHP has a cytostatic effect on embryonic cells and tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Multiple serum marker assay in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Serum levels of CA-125, CA-15-3 and TAG-72 were measured in 81 patients with endometriosis, diagnosed by laparoscopy, and staged according to the Revised American Fertility Society, and in 31 control subjects. The values of CA-125 and CA-15-3 were also determined in peritoneal fluid. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of these various markers in the diagnosis of endometriosis by using them either by themselves or combined. High serum levels of CA-125 were found in 43 of 81 patients with endometriosis (53%) and in five of 38 control subjects (13%). The values of serum CA-125 progressively increased in relation to the severity of the disease. High serum values of CA-15-3 and TAG-72 were also found in patients with endometriosis, but with a similar incidence also in control patients. High CA-125 and CA-15-3 values in peritoneal fluid were found in all patients investigated. These results suggest that measurement of serum CA-15-3 and TAG-72 in addition to CA-125, does not provide any advantage for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Influence of sodium valproate and carbamazepine on GSH levels in rat cerebral cortex.

The effects of sodium valproate (150 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (300 mg/kg), alone and in combination, on the content of glutathione (GSH) were investigated in the rat cerebral cortex. No modification was found either 4, 12 or 16 hours after treatment, suggesting that sodium valproate and carbamazepine do not affect the cortical GSH metabolism in rats.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis and pharmacological study of some 3-(isoxazol-5-yl)-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones.

A number of new 3-(isoxazol-5-yl)-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones was prepared and tested, together a few analogues previously obtained, for their analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities, as well as for their acute toxicity and ulcerogenic effects. In the carrageenan rat foot edema model one of the tested compounds showed activity and LD50 comparable to that of ASA, but the ulceration index approximated zero value.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Anti-inflammatory action of AGF44, a ganglioside ester derivative.

Gangliosides (GA) have been shown to promote axonal sprouting and growth of injured peripheral nerves, and enhance functional biochemical and morphologic recovery after CNS damage. Moreover, it has recently been shown that the natural ganglioside mixture (GM1 + GD1a + GD1b + GT1b) from bovine brain is endowed with powerful anti-inflammatory activity in rodents. Here we report that the novel semisynthetic ganglioside derivative AGF44, the isopropyl ester of monosialoganglioside GM1, displays a potent anti-inflammatory activity when orally or topically administered in various models of acute inflammation. AGF44 was effective (0.5-5 mg/kg p.o. or 0.5% gel topical application) in reducing rat paw oedema induced by either carrageenin, histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, nystatin or kaolin. Moreover, crossed confrontation with the effects elicited by other anti-inflammatory agents revealed that AGE44 seems to act through a different pathway than NSAIDs, steroids or antihistaminic/antiserotoninic agents.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin versus follicle-stimulating hormone after pituitary suppression by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist in polycystic ovary disease. A cross-over study.

Ten patients with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) had ovulation induction after pituitary suppression by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) with GnRHa plus pure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). Duration of the stimulation period and gonadotropin doses were superimposable. A multifollicular response was observed in both treatments. Bioassay and radioimmunoassay of luteinizing hormone, androstanedione and testosterone plasma levels were higher in hMG cycles compared to FSH-treated cycles. No differences was found in FSH and estradiol (E2) plasma concentrations, whereas in hMG-treated cycles the E2/number of follicles and E2/ovarian volume ratios were greater than in the FSH-treated cycles. Clinical results in terms of percentages of ovulation and pregnancies were the same in the two protocols. We conclude that the presence of luteinizing hormone in induction of ovulation in patients with PCOD does not seem to influence follicular recruitment and development, but it may have a role in the enhancement of steroid production.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Serous tumors of the ovary: ultrastructural observations.

One borderline primary serous ovarian tumor and six carcinomas were studied by means of electron microscopy. Borderline malignant tumor evidenced concomitant presence of both benign and malign serous epithelium. Ultrastructural observations revealed differentiation characteristics which involved complex architecture of cell arrangement and polarity in the distribution of the organelle and intercellular junctions. The cilia believed to be more frequent in benign tumors were also reported in poorly differentiated carcinomas and so may not be considered as reliable prognostic markers.

Cystadenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Parathyroid hormone fragment 1-34 inhibits drug-induced inflammation in various experimental models.

We investigated the effect of the administration of rat parathyroid hormone-(1-34) on acute or chronic inflammatory processes in different experimental animal models. Fragment 1-34 of parathyroid hormone had an inhibitory effect in all inflammatory acute tests. The dose-response experiments showed that the maximal anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative effects appeared at the dose of 3.30 and 0.33 micrograms/kg, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect was observed in the first phase of the inflammatory process. In the carrageenin-induced edema test the anti-inflammatory activity began to decline after 180 min. In contrast, this peptide was inactive in the inflammatory chronic test we used.

Acetates↗
PubMed1991

Low-dose aspirin and vascular response in pregnant patients sensitive to angiotensin II.

The angiotensin sensitivity test was performed in 25 high risk pregnant women before and after administration of low-dose aspirin (100 mg/day for 7 days). After aspirin administration there was a significant decrease in AII sensitivity in sensitive patients with no change in nonsensitive patients. Low-dose aspirin favorably affects sensitivity to AII in sensitive patients, thus indicating a reduced vascular reactivity as a consequence of this regimen.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

Purification of natural human IFN-gamma antibodies.

Natural antibodies to interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) were found in patients suffering from various viral infections, but also at weak titers in healthy individuals. In the present study we describe a one-step chromatographic procedure for the purification of the anti-IFN-gamma antibodies from human Ig preparations, using a recombinant IFN-gamma-coupled Sepharose CL4B affinity column. The antibodies to IFN-gamma were eluted from the column using 3 different methods without loss of immunological activity. They were found to be Ig, mostly of the IgG1 subclass, and, in the biological assay, to be able to neutralize the de novo expression of Fc receptor sites induced by IFN-gamma on U937 cells.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1991

Who is being screened for melanoma/skin cancer? Characteristics of persons screened in Massachusetts.

We conducted a survey of persons who voluntarily attended melanoma/skin cancer screenings in Massachusetts in 1987. Of 1219 persons asked to fill out a questionnaire, 1116 (92%) completed it. Our study demonstrates that persons attending the melanoma/skin cancer screening program were, for the most part, at risk for the disease and appropriately selected themselves to be screened. Most were women, well educated (with college or advanced degrees), and white. More than 86% had at least one risk factor for melanoma/skin cancer whereas 78% had at least two risk factors. Future studies are necessary to determine whether our experience can be verified. Additional efforts should try to attract those who are at risk but perhaps are less willing to attend screening programs--men and those of lower socioeconomic status. These efforts can help target screening to those at highest risk and maximize the yield of these public health efforts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effect of opiate receptor blockade on the insulin response to oral glucose load in polycystic ovarian disease.

In order to test the hypothesis that endogenous opiates are at least partially responsible for hyperinsulinaemia in patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), the effect of naloxone (an opiate receptor blocker) on the insulin response to oral glucose load (OGTT) was studied in 20 women with PCOD and 17 control subjects at days 5-8 of their follicular phase. After fasting overnight for 10-12 h, each woman received an i.v. bolus injection (2 mg) of naloxone or an equal volume of saline infusion followed by a constant infusion of naloxone or saline solution at a rate of 8 ml/h (1 mg/h of naloxone) for 5 h. OGTT (75 g) was performed 1 h after the bolus injection. The naloxone study was performed 48 h after the saline study. Naloxone did not modify the insulin response to OGTT in either group. When the data were related to the insulin response, in PCOD hyperinsulinaemic patients, naloxone significantly reduced (P less than 0.02) the insulin response to OGTT without any change in glycaemic response curves. In control and PCOD normoinsulinaemic patients, naloxone did not change significantly either the glycaemia or the insulin levels after OGTT. No change of gonadotrophin and steroid secretion was found in any patient receiving naloxone. In conclusion, endogenous opiates may play a significant role in hyperinsulinaemia in PCOD.

Adolescent↗