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Biomedical subjects

A Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to A Ferrari.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The impact of oral contraception on vulvovaginal candidiasis.

To evaluate risk factors related to sociodemographic and clinical variables, oral contraception and sexual behavior of women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, we conducted a case-control study comparing 153 patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis with both asymptomatic women with negative vaginal cultures and patients with nonrecurrent symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis. In logistic regression analysis, patients with recurrent Candida vaginitis were more likely than negative controls to have used any contraceptive method in the year before evaluation, to have used antibiotics in the month preceding the visit, and to have a higher number of lifetime sex partners. Compared to patients with nonrecurrent Candida vaginitis, patients with recurrent infection were more likely to use oral contraception and to have a higher frequency of monthly intercourse. The proportion of recur rent disease attributable to the pill averages 11-12%. We conclude that oral contraceptives may influence the recurrence of symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Dystrophin expression in skin biopsy immunohistochemical. Localisation of striated muscle type dystrophin.

Dystrophin is normally localized in smooth muscle fibers of various organs in experimental animals, and it has been shown to be defective in the smooth muscle fibers of the mdx mouse, including the myoepithelial cell layer of the sweat glands. We investigated dystrophin localization, using three antisera raised against different domains of skeletal muscle type of dystrophin, in the smooth muscle structures of the skin, using immunohistochemical methods with monoclonal antibodies against dystrophin, in 24 patients with various neuromuscular diseases, and in a normal control. Skin biopsy showed a strong dystrophin reaction in the arrector pili muscles and in the myoepithelial cells of the sweat glands of patients with congenital muscular dystrophy, polymyositis, distal myopathy, putative Duchenne muscular dystrophy carriers, myoglobinuria, neurogenic atrophy and in a normal control. A faint positive dystrophin reaction was seen in four patients with Becker muscular dystrophy, whereas it was absent in 3 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As our data suggest that immunohistochemical dystrophin expression in smooth muscle structures of the skin is similar to that observed in striated muscle, skin biopsy may represent an alternative way to ascertain dystrophin deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

In vitro production of human anti-sperm antibodies: effect of an oligoclonal antibody (F6) on sperm-egg interaction.

A method has been developed to establish lines of transformed lymphocytes able to produce in vitro the same anti-sperm antibodies as those naturally occurring in immuno-infertile individuals. We utilized lymphocytes from a male donor whose serum contained anti-sperm antibodies of the IgG class up to the dilution 1:10,000, as detected by means of immunobead binding. T lymphocytes were separated from B lymphocytes using magnetic beads coated with anti-T antibody. B lymphocytes were then placed at a concentration of 5 x 10(6)/ml in a 96-well plate, stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. After a few days, only transformed cells continued growing and these were collected. The supernatant was tested for production of anti-sperm antibodies and those transformed lymphocytes shown to be synthesising antibodies directed against the sperm head and the tail were cloned. We obtained a clone of cells producing antibodies of the IgG1 class directed against the head of the spermatozoon. This oligoclonal antibody (F6) recognized a 58-kDa band from a lysate of sperm membranes and was able to reduce the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes by capacitated spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Corticotropin releasing factor decidualizes human endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Interaction with progestin.

Decidualization of endometrial cells is a hormone-dependent process of differentiation which occurs during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Recent in vitro studies have revealed that cAMP and its generators induce decidualization of stromal cells isolated from proliferative endometrium and that progestins enhance the effect of cAMP. Since corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) generates cAMP and prostaglandins in other organs, in the present study the effect of CRF, a hypothalamic factor also produced by decidua and fetal membranes, on in vitro decidualization of endometrial stromal cells was evaluated. The addition of CRF to a culture medium of stromal cells induced in vitro decidualization, as indicated by morphologic changes from elongated fibroblast-like cells into larger and round cells and by the release of prolactin in the medium. The effect of CRF on stromal cells and on prolactin release was significantly augmented by the coincubation in the presence of medroxyprogesterone acetate. This observation indicates CRF as a novel factor of decidualization and confirms that progestins act as enhancers of the expression of decidual products.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1995

Gas bremsstrahlung evaluations for a phi-factory.

Gas bremsstrahlung from the phi-Factory presently under construction at the INFN Frascati National Laboratories (Italy) has been studied using the Monte Carlo FLUKA code. Photon spectrum and quantitative estimates of fluence rates and tissue absorbed dose rates are given. On the basis of the obtained results the precautions to be taken are discussed.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1995

Production of mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against the oolemma of human and hamster oocytes by intra-splenic injection of oocytes.

PROBLEM: To develop an additional approach for the study of oolemmal surface moieties involved in gamete interactions, we decided to obtain monoclonal antibodies by intrasplenic injection of human and hamster oocytes in Balb/c mice. METHOD: Two Balb/c males were injected three times intrasplenically at 15-day intervalS with approximately 40 zona-free hamster and 3-5 zona-free human oocytes. After the third injection, spleen cells were fused and hybridomas developed. We used a novel screening system based upon the use of sections of frozen human and hamster eggs, tested by means of indirect immunofluorescence. The antibodies that we produced were evaluated for their ability to interfere with the zona-free hamster eggs penetration by human spermatozoa. The B2B5 antibody was also developed as ascitic fluid and further characterized. RESULTS: Seven antibodies reactive with hamster oocytes were produced. Six of them also reacted with human oolemmas. The binding was confined to the oolemma, and no staining of the zona nor the cytoplasm was present. One of these antibodies reduced the penetration of zona-free hamster eggs by human spermatozoa. This antibody, B2B5, an IgM kappa, was confirmed to interact with the oolemma by means of indirect immunofluorescence of fresh eggs and Covasphere binding. B2B5 did not react with other human or hamster tissues except capacitated human spermatozoa. The reactivity with the oolemma of hamster oocytes was not lost after egg penetration by human sperm. CONCLUSIONS: Intrasplenic immunization using zona-free human and hamster oocytes allows the production of anti-oolemma antibodies. A system of screening based upon the use of sections of frozen eggs also allows an easy and quick scoring of many supernatants. B2B5 monoclonal anti-oolemma antibody deserves further studies in that is able to interfere with fertilization and its antigen appears to be confined to the gametes surface.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Diagnostic relevance of peripheral blood immunocytochemistry in hairy cell leukaemia.

AIMS--(1) To assess the diagnostic relevance of peripheral blood immunocytochemistry in hairy cell leukaemia (HCL); (2) to compare the immunostaining of bone marrow biopsy specimens with bone marrow and peripheral blood cytospins; (3) to evaluate the sensitivity of the different markers used; (4) to identify the ultrastructural localisation of DBA.44 in HCL variant. METHODS--Immunoenzymatic staining procedures, immunoperoxidase and immunoalkaline phosphatase, were used with a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed to HCL associated antigens. Ultrastructural immunostaining was performed using colloidal gold conjugated antibodies. RESULTS--HCL showed strong cytoplasmic reactivity for CD22, CD25, CD103, DBA.44, kappa, or lambda light chains. Peripheral blood diagnostic hairy cells were found in all the cases with absolute counts ranging from 0.11 x 10(9)/l up to 6.4 x 10(9)/l and values increasing with the size of the spleen. A median of 36.5% of leukaemic cells was found in bone marrow aspirates and 70% in bone marrow trephine specimens. The monoclonal antibodies CD22 and DBA.44 showed the highest and the lowest percentage of positive hairy cells, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0025). Ultrastructural immunolabelling with DBA.44 showed a cytoplasmic membrane localisation of the antigen in one case of HCL variant. CONCLUSIONS--(1) Immunocytochemistry is a useful technique which enhances the accuracy of diagnosis in HCL; (2) peripheral blood immunocytochemistry is recommended because it highlights hairy cells in all cases; (3) CD22 appears to be the most sensitive of the markers tested; (4) ultrastructural analysis is a useful tool in selected cases of HCL variant.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Gas monitoring and uptake.

The breath-by-breath monitoring of anesthetic gases can provide information, beyond the usual safety control. The study of the decay and concentration effects along the circuit can be useful to evaluate their kinetics. The presence of unexpected gases coming from the patient's tissues is another important topic. By means of gas monitoring devices we can study the physiologic changes consequent to the modifications to the patient position, or the respiratory variations due to V/Q mismatching. The end-expired fraction of the anesthetic (FE') is not so close to MAC as first proposed in the 1960s, but it remains the most precise index of the depth of anesthesia. The traditional concept of quantitative anesthesia is still sufficiently actual to be considered in the design of new anesthesia machines.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the elderly: results of two different treatment approaches in 49 patients during a 25-year period.

This paper reported on a series of 49 elderly patients over 60 years of age affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), observed at our institution from 1969 to 1993. The biological characteristics considered, median WBC count, FAB classification, immunophenotype at onset of disease, were no different from those of our adult ALL series. Overall complete remission (CR) rate of these patients was 59%, 18% had resistant disease and 23% died during induction. Overall median survival was 9 months and overall median duration of CR was 7 months. All patients were divided according to treatment into two groups: group A (13 patients) received an intensive treatment including vincristine (VCR), prednisone (PDN), daunorubicin (DNR) and L-asparaginase (L-Asp), while in group B (36 patients) were included patients who received mild conventional induction with VCR and PDN. In group A, 77% of patients achieved CR and 23% died during induction. All patients were hospitalized during induction treatment. During follow-up, among 10 CRs, five (50%) died in CR because of hemorrhage (two), infections (two) and myocardial infarction (one); five (50%) relapsed. Median survival was 4 months and median duration of CR was 3.5 months. In group B, 53% of patients obtained CR, 25% had resistant disease and 22% died during induction. During induction, 44% of patients were hospitalized. During follow-up, among 19 CRs, 14 (74%) relapsed and three (15%) died in CR because of infection (two) and cardiorespiratory failure (one). Three patients (15%) are still alive: two in first CR and one in second CR. No statistical differences between the two groups in terms of CR rate or survival were noted. Standardized therapeutic trials are needed better to evaluate results in these patients, considering also the introduction of new therapeutic agents or supportive treatments, such as growth factors.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Portal hypertension: review of data and influence on management.

It is evident that endoscopic ultrasonography could have a great clinical role in the selection of the best treatment for the individual patient because it allows the simultaneous visualization of a large part of the portal venous system and its collaterals. It has not been shown that the same kind of treatment is suitable for every patient with portal hypertension, and failure of a particular treatment may be attributable to an incorrect selection of patients. Further perspective studies with EUS in patients with portal hypertension are thus necessary in order to clearly state the cost-benefit of this technique in the management of these subjects.

Endoscopy, Digestive System↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of phosphoprotein p18 in leukemic cells. Cell cycle regulated phosphorylation by p34cdc2 kinase.

p18 is a phosphoprotein that is expressed at very high levels in leukemic cells, at moderately high levels in proliferating normal lymphocytes, and at low levels in quiescent lymphocytes. Induction of terminal differentiation of leukemic cells in culture results in a decrease in cellular proliferation. These phenotypic changes are associated with rapid phosphorylation of p18, followed by a more gradual decrease in the level of its mRNA expression. More than 12 different phosphorylation products of p18 have been identified in different cells by high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Previous studies have suggested that p18 may be a substrate for protein kinase C in some cellular processes and protein kinase A in others. In this report, we show that the phosphorylation of p18 increases as cells progress toward the G2-M phases of the cell cycle in proliferating leukemic cells. We have examined the hypothesis that the putative role of p18 in cellular proliferation may be mediated by its involvement in the p34cdc2 kinase signal transduction pathway. We have produced recombinant p18 in bacterial cells and shown that it can be phosphorylated in vitro by purified p34cdc2 kinase with a stoichiometry of 0.86 mol of PO4/mol of substrate. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to demonstrate that the site of p34cdc2 phosphorylation is the serine at position 38. This same site has previously been shown to be phosphorylated in vivo in bovine brain along with another serine at position 25. The observation that p18 gets phosphorylated in the G2-M phases of the cell cycle and the demonstration that p18 is phosphorylated efficiently by p34cdc2 kinase in vitro at a residue that is also phosphorylated in vivo support the hypothesis that p18 may be a physiologic substrate for p34cdc2 kinase in vivo. We have also examined the effect of inhibiting the expression of p18 on cell cycle progression. These experiments demonstrated that antisense inhibition of the expression of p18 in K562 erythroleukemia cells is associated with a decrease in cellular proliferation and accumulation of cells in the G2-M phases of the cycle. The implications of these findings to the proposed role of p18 in the regulation of cellular proliferation are discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Topical testosterone in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

OBJECTIVES: Comparison between 2% testosterone propionate and petrolatum ointment in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus in a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with histologically confirmed vulvar lichen sclerosus were enrolled. They underwent a 1-year period of topical treatment with either medication, with clinical evaluations of symptoms and gross appearance at 2-month intervals, followed by histological evaluation at the end of the treatment period. Statistical analysis was performed according to the chi-squared test and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. RESULTS: A substantial improvement in symptoms was achieved in 20 (66.6%) patients in the testosterone group and in 21 (75%) patients in the placebo group. No statistical differences were observed between the two groups. Gross changes were observed in a few cases and no case demonstrated histologic modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Petrolatum ointment is as effective as 2% testosterone in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Risk factors for placenta praevia.

Risk factors for placenta praevia have been analysed in a case control study conducted in Milan, Italy. A total of 140 cases of placenta praevia and the two women who delivered healthy babies consecutively after each index case (280 controls) were identified reviewing clinical records of 49,765 registered deliveries at the Clinica Mangiagalli in Milan from 1979 to 1991. An increased relative risk (RR) of per cent confidence interval, CI, 2.3-6.7) and among those with previous abortions (RR = 1.8, 95 per cent CI, 1.2-2.8) or with more than one previous pregnancy (RR = 1.9, 95 per cent CI, 1.1-3.3). A non-significant trend in risk was observed with parity (RR = 1.2 for one and 1.5 for two previous deliveries versus nulliparas) and for caesarean section (RR = 1.2 for one and 2.1 for two previous caesarean deliveries versus no previous caesarean section). No relation emerged with sex of the newborn and multiple pregnancy and risk of placenta praevia. Our study shows that older age and previous abortions are associated with an increased frequency of placenta praevia.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Insulin-like growth factor-II stimulates human granulosa-luteal cell proliferation in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) on human granulosa cell proliferation in vitro. DESIGN: Thymidine incorporation and cell count were determined to assess human granulosa cell proliferation. SETTING: The study was performed in an academic research environment. PATIENTS: Granulosa cells were obtained from women undergoing IVF procedures. INTERVENTIONS: Granulosa cells were dispersed enzymatically and cultured in both serum-containing and serum-free medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Granulosa cell proliferation in basal conditions and after stimulation with IGF-II given alone or in combination with basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF). RESULTS: Treatment of human granulosa cells with IGF-II for 24 hours significantly increased thymidine incorporation. Furthermore, this mitogenic effect was confirmed when granulosa cells were cultured in presence of IGF-II for 7 to 10 days and their proliferation was evaluated by cell counting. The association of IGF-II and basic FGF did not result in a synergistic or additive effect. CONCLUSION: As already demonstrated in other species, IGF-II also is able to stimulate human granulosa cell proliferation in vitro. Thus, it might be considered among the intraovarian modulators of granulosa cell physiology.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1994

The evaluation of fine-needle procedures for the diagnosis of focal liver lesions in cirrhosis.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration, fine-needle biopsy and extranodular fine needle biopsy in identifying focal lesions in cirrhosis, 100 consecutive ultrasound detected nodules were studied. Seventy-three were hepatocellular carcinomas (31 were well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas), 23 were benign lesions (one angioma and 22 large regenerative nodules) and two were metastases. The lesions were divided according to maximum diameter as follows: < 20 mm in 36, > 20 < 30 mm in 27, and > 30 mm in 33. In four cases there were multiple nodules of different sizes. Fine needle aspiration, intranodular fine needle biopsy and extranodular fine needle biopsy were obtained in each lesion. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of each procedure were evaluated separately by three independent pathologists. Seven fine needle aspirations and three intranodular fine needle biopsies were considered inadequate. The highest diagnostic accuracy (96%) was obtained by the combined analysis of fine needle aspiration plus intranodular and extranodular fine needle biopsy, and this superiority was confirmed in each group of lesions. Fine needle aspiration showed a lower accuracy (48%) than intranodular fine needle biopsy (67%). When fine needle aspiration and intranodular fine needle biopsy were evaluated together, an accuracy of 91% was found. Intralesional fine needle biopsy plus extranodular fine needle biopsy analysis gave an accuracy of 78% and, particularly relevant, a specificity of 95%. These results indicate that, in patients with cirrhosis with nodular lesions < 30 mm, fine needle biopsy is superior to fine needle aspiration and that the combined evaluation of fine needle aspiration plus intranodular and extranodular fine needle biopsy is the most accurate approach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1994

Endoscopy versus endoscopic ultrasonography in staging reflux esophagitis.

Precise staging of reflux esophagitis is very important for therapeutic decisions; in fact, chronic gastroesophageal reflux may cause transmural inflammation that leads to fibrosis with loss of esophageal wall compliance. In reflux esophagitis, endoscopic stating is limited to mucosal injury, while endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is able to visualize changes in the layer structure and localized or diffuse thickenings of the esophageal wall. In order to evaluate the usefulness of EUS in reflux esophagitis, a prospective study of 31 patients and ten normal subjects was performed. Endoscopic reflux esophagitis was staged as: E1 (erythema, n = 7), E2 (erosions, n = 13), E3 (ulcers, n = 11). EUS findings were recorded and evaluated at five different levels, starting from the gastroesophageal junction, using a quantitative method, the center line method. With this method, the sectorial and mean thickness, and area were calculated for each level. There was a significant difference between patients with reflux esophagitis and normal subjects in our study. E3 patients showed a significant upward involvement of the wall far from the visible lesions. Mild esophagitis may also cause esophageal wall thickening, involving even the entire wall. There was no correlation between the onset time of symptoms and the degree of thickening. In conclusion, EUS seems to be an important supplement to endoscopy in staging reflux esophagitis, as the progression of the inflammation is not related to the endoscopic findings.

Adult↗