We examined the resolution of the bronchial spasm induced by methacholine after administration of a dose sufficient to provoke PD20 to study, in patients with bronchial asthma, how spontaneous resolution (as opposed to bronchodilator-induced resolution) takes place. According to a randomization criterion, the patients were divided into four groups: 1) resolution induced by salbutamol (S), 2) by ipratropium bromide (I), 3) after placebo (P) and 4) spontaneous resolution (R). In brief, we observed that variations in FEV1 after methacholine PD20, reach statistically significant levels after 15 minutes in patients from groups (S) and (I), after 30 minutes in patients from groups (P) and (R) (p < 0.05). Comparing the phenomenon at various intervals in the four experimental situation, we found a pairing trend: groups (S) and (I) on the one hand, and groups (P) and (R) on the other. On the whole, this phenomenon shows that pharmacological treatment accelerates the process of spontaneous resolution of the bronchial spasm induced by methacholine which, in our experience, beings to show after 15 minutes, and that after 60 minutes, there are no statistically significant differences in the four groups. It is our opinion that closer examination of this phenomenon may provide greater knowledge of the mechanisms that come into play during the phase after stimulation of the muscarinic receptors and that reasonably involve the system to eliminate the muscarinic drug.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of PCNA in differentiating between malignant mesothelioma and mesothelial hyperplasia: prognostic considerations.

We investigated the PCNA immunoreactivity in 35 specimens of malignant mesothelioma and 20 specimens of mesothelial hyperplasia in order to evaluate the usefulness of this parameter in differentiating between these two mesothelial proliferations, and to determine whether PCNA has any prognostic significance in mesotheliomas. Eleven of the 35 investigated malignant mesotheliomas displayed up to 25% of positive cells for PCNA expression. The remaining 24 specimens showed high percentages of positive cells ranging from 26% to 95%. All specimens of reactive hyperplasia had less than 25% of PCNA positive cells. The difference between malignant mesothelioma and mesothelial hyperplasia for PCNA immunoreactivity was statistically significant (p < 0.01). A positive relationship was also found between PCNA expression level and the overall survival of those affected by malignant mesothelioma (p = 0.0032). Our results suggest on important role for PCNA in differentiating diagnosis of mesothelial proliferations. It remains unclear whether PCNA expression truly correlates with the proliferation rate of the malignant mesotheliomas and with the overall survival of patients affected by this neoplasm.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

p53 immunostaining in differential diagnosis of pleural mesothelial proliferations.

We evaluated tissues for the overexpression of p53 protein in 35 malignant mesotheliomas and 20 reactive pleural hyperplasias, obtained from open biopsies or pleurectomies. Of the 35 neoplasms investigated, 30 (85.7%) displayed positive nuclear staining for p53. No staining was seen in any specimens of hyperplasia. We found no significant statistical difference in p53 expression when we compared p53 overexpression in the different histological subtypes of mesotheliomas. Moreover, p53 overexpression did not correlate in a statistical manner with survival. We conclude that p53 overexpression is a frequent feature of pleural mesothelioma and is useful for routine differentiating between malignant and non-neoplastic mesothelial alterations. The reason for p53 overexpression in mesothelioma, however, remains to be determined.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isosteres of chiral clofibric acid analogs: synthesis, resolution, absolute configuration and HPLC detection of the optical purity.

Both racemic and enantiomeric forms of some isosteres of chiral clofibric acid analogs have been synthesized. Also, the absolute configuration has been established by chemical correlation and the optical purity determined by a simple HPLC procedure. Moreover, these studies show that the isosteric substitution of the ether oxygen atom of alpha-aryloxy-alkanoic acids with sulfur, amino and methylene groups lead to compounds in which both biological activity and stereoselectivity regarding chloride channel are highly reduced.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory allergy to Cupressus sempervirens in Rome.

Mediterranean Cypress pollen is the major aerospore component in winter and early spring. Several recent studies have assessed the incidence of respiratory allergy to this pollen. A personal series of patients encountered in 1994-96 revealed a 9.33% incidence of positive prick-test responses to Cypress pollen among a population with atopical status. That series included 16 (19.05%) single and 68 (80.95%) multiple allergy sufferers. Among the former the symptoms encountered were rhinitis (62.5%) and asthma (37.5%). Given the ever-increasing incidence of Cypress pollen allergy, there is a need to restrict the planting of the tree for ornamental purposes, especially in areas with a high pollen count.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Since the nineties, the increasing incidence of tuberculosis was accompanied by numerous epidemic foci of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, especially of nosocomial transmission. In the United States and other countries there was an increase in both primary and acquired drug-resistant tuberculosis. HIV infection and the poor social and health care facilities of different population groups, the lack of compliance with therapy and the reduction of programs of nosocomial and extranosocomial surveillance and control of tuberculosis are all concomitant causes of the increase in multi-drug resistant cases. The improvement in surveillance and treatment closely monitored therapies and nosocomial control by specific regulations, when applied, have contributed to the decrease in the rate of drug-resistant forms.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

BCG and prospects for new vaccines against tuberculosis.

Seventy-five years have elapsed since its introduction and a renewed interest has arisen in the vaccination with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for the prevention of tuberculosis. This interest has been motivated by the increase in tuberculosis, especially in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The efficacy of BCG has been questioned for decades, however, new epidemiological studies have shown a protective effect in some populations and categories at risk. Protection is more evident in the populations with a high incidence of the disease, especially against disseminated and invasive disease. The use of this vaccination is advised for specific populations based on the risk of infection and disease. However, BCG has a limited benefit. New agents produced with methods of molecular biology are supplying encouraging results in the animal model.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Beneficial effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on migraine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Migraine is a commonly unilateral throbbing headache, which has been associated with disorders of the vascular tone. Helicobacter pylori, the most relevant cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer, has been recently associated with a typical functional vascular disorder such as primary Raynaud phenomenon. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of H. pylori for patients affected by migraine and the effects of H. pylori eradication on migraine symptoms. METHODOLOGY: Two-hundred and twenty-five patients were consecutively enrolled between October 1996 and January 1997. H. pylori was assessed by 13C-urea breath test. Infected subjects were eradicated of the bacterium; frequency, intensity and duration of attacks of migraine were assessed during a 6 month follow-up period. RESULTS: H. pylori was detected in 40% of the patients. Eighty-three percent of the patients who underwent therapy were eradicated. Intensity, duration and frequency of attacks of migraine were significantly reduced in all eradicated patients. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori is common in subjects with migraine. Bacterium eradication causes a significant decrease in attacks of migraine. The reduction of vasoactive substances produced during infection may be the pathogenetic mechanism underlying the phenomenon.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

RB growth control evasion in lung cancer.

We evaluated the expression of pRb by immunohistochemistry in 98 lung cancer specimens already characterized for their p16 and cyclin D1 status. We found the absence of pRb expression to be dependent upon the histological type, being more frequent in SCLCs than in NSCLCs (p < .00005). On the other hand, we failed to find any correlation between the expression of pRb and p16. In addition, we found a positive correlation between the expression of pRb and cyclin D1 (p = .0001). Therefore, we hypothesize that pRb growth control may be overcome by two different mechanisms in lung carcinogenesis: loss of pRb expression or overexpression of cyclin D1.

Adenocarcinoma↗