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Biomedical subjects

A Foglia

Publications and source records attributed to A Foglia.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The role of extracellular polysaccharide substance produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis in miliaria.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that cutaneous bacteria, particularly coagulase-negative staphylococci, play a role in the pathogenesis of miliaria. An accumulation of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material has been described as blocking the sweat duct in miliaria. Furthermore, a PAS-positive extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS) has been identified as a product of some strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relative ability of various species of coagulase-negative staphylococci to induce miliaria with particular reference to the potential role of EPS. METHODS: We inoculated various strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci on the volar forearms of subjects under an occlusive dressing coupled with thermal stimulation. Ability to induce miliaria as well as microbiologic, histologic, and immunostaining features were evaluated. RESULTS: Miliaria was induced only with strains of S. epidermidis; other species including S. haemolyticus, S. hominis, S. cohnii, S. saprophyticus, and S. simulans were not capable of inducing miliaria. Moreover, only S. epidermidis strains capable of producing EPS were capable of inducing miliaria. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EPS is the PAS-positive material that obstructs the delivery of sweat to the skin surface in miliaria and therefore demonstrate that the EPS produced by S. epidermidis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of miliaria. Furthermore, in a survey of staphylococcal flora isolated from 68 subjects, EPS-producing strains were found to be common.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Handwashing practices and resistance and density of bacterial hand flora on two pediatric units in Lima, Peru.

The handwashing practices and bacterial hand flora of 62 pediatric staff members of a teaching hospital in Lima, Peru, were studied. Handwashing followed patient contact 29.3% of the time (204/697 contacts). Mean duration was 14.5 seconds, and significant differences in practices were found by unit (rehydration or neonatal intensive care), type of staff member (nurses or physicians), and type and duration of patient contact. Mean count of colony-forming units was log10 5.87 +/- 0.41, with significant differences in density of flora found between patient care and kitchen staffs. There was no significant effect of handwashing on counts of colony-forming units. Significant differences were also found by unit and by staff position with regard to species isolated and antimicrobial resistance of isolates. A more efficacious and cost-effective form of hand hygiene and a more prudent use of antimicrobial agents are indicated.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1992

Molecular genetic analysis of the Rhizobium meliloti fixK promoter: identification of sequences involved in positive and negative regulation.

Transcription of the Rhizobium meliloti fixK gene is induced in symbiotic and microaerobic growth conditions by the FixL/FixJ modulator/effector pair. Transcription of fixK is also negatively autoregulated. By 5' deletion analysis, the involvement in negative regulation of a DNA region between -514 and -450 with respect to the transcription start was demonstrated. Site-directed mutagenesis allowed us to show that a sequence homologous to the binding site of the Escherichia coli Fnr protein, centred at position -487, participates in this effect. However, deletion or mutagenesis of this Fnr-like sequence does not completely eliminate FixK-dependent repression, which suggests that either an additional DNA region is involved in negative regulation or that it is mediated at the level of fixLJ transcription. Deletion analysis also allowed the definition of a DNA region involved in FixJ-mediated activation of the fixK promoter, between -79 and -42. Different point mutations in the -60, -45 and -35 regions were shown to affect promoter activity. In some cases, the activity of mutant promoters could be partly or fully restored by increasing the expression of the fixLJ regulatory genes, in an E. coli strain harbouring a plasmid with fixLJ under the control of an inducible (p-tac) promoter.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1989

Comparative study of schizotypal and schizophrenic patients.

Using the method of a blind retrospective evaluation of clinical charts, 14 DSM-III pure schizotypal personality disorders (SPD) and 25 schizophrenic patients diagnosed with the help of the ICD-9 and the Flexible System were compared. Some differences emerged between the groups indicating that there may not only be a relationship between clinical samples of SPD (preferably defined by positive symptoms) and schizophrenia but also between SPD and borderline personality disorder. A group of 7 SPD and 17 schizophrenics could be followed up 4 years later. On a blind examination, SPD patients were found to be socially less well adjusted and they tended to be more symptomatic. Compared with a small DSM-III schizophrenia subgroup the differences diminished, SPD still rating higher on social dissatisfaction. A different definition of schizophrenia probably accounts for the greater part of the different results in this and previous studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Lithium poisoning with persistent neurological sequelae].

A patient suffering from manic-depressive illness was treated on a long-term basis with lithium carbonate in consistent dosage. In the course of intercurrent Q-fever he developed lithium intoxication which led to a severe and, as confirmed by a follow-up examination after 5 years, irreversible cerebellar syndrome as well as a discrete organic mental syndrome. The course of the lithium intoxication itself was exceptional in this patient: the cerebellar symptoms appeared very early during the intoxication and were dissociated from any other central nervous system signs or symptoms, especially impairment of consciousness.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An in vitro human skin model for assaying topical drugs against dermatophytic fungi.

A shortened modification of Dittmar's in vitro human skin assay reliably predicts the efficacy of topical antifungals against ringworm fungi. Cadaver skin was treated with the test agents for 4 or 24 h. After heat separation of the epidermis for one minute at 60 degrees C, the undersurface was point inoculated with a spore suspension of T. mentagrophytes. In untreated skin fluffy, 3 mm colonies develop after 4 to 5 days of incubation. Effective fungistats produce complete inhibition of growth. Commercial formulations of the imidazoles, tolnaftate and ciclopirox were highly effective. Haloprogin, undecylenate, and hydroxyquinoline in proprietary form were inactive. There was a high correspondence between in vitro and in vivo effectiveness. The method should be useful for screening new antifungals and for optimal selection of vehicles.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1982

[The sigma sedimentation rate in rheumatoid arthritis: comparative study of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate].

The authors studied 54 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis by sigma SR method. The sigma SR, unlike the ESR, often reveals inflammatory activity in patients suffering from possible or probable rheumatoid arthritis and is very useful to diagnose the disease. The sigma SR constantly increases when the disease is in active period, unlike the ESR, in patients affected by classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis. The authors conclude the sigma SR determination is useful in every case of rheumatoid arthritis, especially when the disease is at beginning and is difficult to be diagnosed, i.e. cases of possible and probable rheumatoid arthritis, and when clinical and biohumoral picture disagree.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The coagulation picture and plasma clearance capacity in atherosclerotic diabetics].

An attempt is made to set out the complex question of the relations between plasma and wall factors in coagulation, platelets and lipids in atheroscderotic diabetes. The literature data show that this disease is associated the clotting and fibrinolytic systems as a result of the prevalence of thrombogenic factors and/or poor inhibitor activity. A survey is made of fibrinolysis activators and inhibitors, and of the part played by lipids in the aetiopathogenesis of thrombophilia, though the mechanisms responsible have not yet been fully established. Reference is made to De Gaetano's exposition of Walsh's views concerning the rôle of platelets in clotting. An assessment is made of the relations between platelets and lipoproteins, and hence of the importance of platelets in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Reference is made to a series of atherosclerotic diabetics. Hyperaggregability was noted in 60% of 30 cases. The experimental results obtained by Bierman et al. on the relation between insulin and lipoproteinlipase and the interference of insulin with PHLA are presented in an explanation of the clarifying power of plasma in this disease. Lastly, an account is given of lipoproteinlipase values observed in a personal series of 48 cases employing a radioimmunological technique. Baselines were depressed in 24 subjects.

Aged↗