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Biomedical subjects

A Mariano

Publications and source records attributed to A Mariano.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Central precocious puberty: a single blood sample after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration in monitoring treatment.

This study was designed to evaluate whether a single blood sample drawn after the home injection of a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRHa) in patients treated for central precocious puberty (CPP) could be a more simple and inexpensive test with respect to the conventional GnRH stimulating test in assessing adequate suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis. The response to the first therapeutic injection of the GnRHa triptorelin was studied in 14 newly diagnosed untreated females with CPP. The results were compared with the response that the same patients had to the conventional GnRH stimulation test performed at the time of diagnosis. A significant increase in LH, FSH and E2 levels was observed 12 h after the triptorelin intramuscular injection; serum peak values of LH (70.3 +/- 58.5 IU/l), FSH (44.2 +/- 21.7 IU/l) and E2 (489.7 +/- 263.9 pmol/l) were significantly greater than those obtained with the conventional GnRH test (LH 31.4 +/- 21.7, p = 0.002; FSH 19.8 +/- 10. 7, p = 0.001; E2 83.3 +/- 25, p < 0.001). In particular, the E2 response, 12 h after triptorelin injection, was clearly consistent with gonadal activation compared to the modest E2 increase in response to the GnRH test. Thereafter 22 girls who were already being treated with triptorelin for CPP were evaluated to see whether a single blood sample drawn 12 h after the therapeutic home injection of GnRHa could be informative in assessing adequate suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis. This response was also compared to the conventional GnRH stimulation test performed 2 days before the therapeutic triptorelin injection. In 7 girls with evidence of pubertal progression, the E2 response following the GnRHa injection (136.3 +/- 44.4 pmol/l) was significantly higher with respect to the response after the GnRH stimulation test (73.0 +/- 0.0; p < 0.02) indicating an inadequate suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis. The present data suggest that a single blood sample drawn 12 h after the therapeutic home administration of triptorelin provides a simple, comfortable and inexpensive means of monitoring pituitary as well as gonadal function in girls treated for CPP.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Transient dwarfism and hypogonadism in mice lacking Otx1 reveal prepubescent stage-specific control of pituitary levels of GH, FSH and LH.

Genetic and molecular approaches have enabled the identification of regulatory genes critically involved in determining cell types in the pituitary gland and/or in the hypothalamus. Here we report that Otx1, a homeobox-containing gene of the Otx gene family, is postnatally transcribed and translated in the pituitary gland. Cell culture experiments indicate that Otx1 may activate transcription of the growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (betaFSH), luteinizing hormone (betaLH) and alpha-glycoprotein subunit (alphaGSU) genes. Analysis of Otx1 null mice indicates that, at the prepubescent stage, they exhibit transient dwarfism and hypogonadism due to low levels of pituitary GH, FSH and LH hormones which, in turn, dramatically affect downstream molecular and organ targets. Nevertheless, Otx1-/- mice gradually recover from most of these abnormalities, showing normal levels of pituitary hormones with restored growth and gonadal function at 4 months of age. Expression patterns of related hypothalamic and pituitary cell type restricted genes, growth hormone releasing hormone (GRH), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and their pituitary receptors (GRHR and GnRHR) suggest that, in Otx1-/- mice, hypothalamic and pituitary cells of the somatotropic and gonadotropic lineages appear unaltered and that the ability to synthesize GH, FSH and LH, rather than the number of cells producing these hormones, is affected. Our data indicate that Otx1 is a new pituitary transcription factor involved at the prepubescent stage in the control of GH, FSH and LH hormone levels and suggest that a complex regulatory mechanism might exist to control the physiological need for pituitary hormones at specific postnatal stages.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Urinary iodine excretion in the Campania region].

Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was measured on urine samples collected in the morning from 3480 subjects (both adults and children) living in an extended territory of Campania region including urban and extraurban areas, in the period 1993-96. UIE was measured by an autoanalyzer (Bran + Luebbe) and expressed as microgram/l. Means UIE were significantly lower in the patients living in the villages of Avellino (65 +/- 48), Benevento (44 +/- 44) and Caserta (78 +/- 53) respect to the control subjects from the area of Naples (102 +/- 66). These data demonstrate that in many areas of our region a mild-moderate iodine deficiency is still present as indicated by a low urinary iodine excretion and therefore an effective program of iodoprophylaxis is fundamental in this region.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Sebaceous adenitis.

A 32-year-old man had an asymptomatic erythematous, annular and circinate eruption on the face for 2 months. Histologic examination revealed sebaceous lobules surrounded by a lymphomonocytic infiltrate and some areas of necrotic sebocytes. The lesions healed without treatment in 1 month. These clinical features can be observed in "neutrophilic sebaceous adenitis," recently described by Renfro et al. The most striking abnormality is the nearly exclusive perisebaceous distribution of the dermal cellular infiltrate with inflammatory cell permeation of the sebaceous epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Long-term interferon-alpha therapy does not affect sex hormones in males with chronic hepatitis C.

The effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), given at a dosage of 6 MU thrice weekly for 12 months, on gonadal function were investigated in 18 males affected by chronic hepatitis C. Periodically, all patients were clinically monitored and questioned about sexual function. Gonadotropin and serum androgen concentrations (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and sex hormone binding globulin) were tested every 3 months. Ten of 18 patients (55%) responded to IFN-alpha therapy. Serum total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin values decreased slightly at the third month of treatment, then returned to baseline values. Serum free testosterone and other sex hormones remained essentially unchanged during IFN-alpha therapy. Four patients (22.2%) complained of sexual dysfunction (impaired libido, erectile failure, and impaired ejaculation), which was unrelated to any significant hormonal change and resolved after IFN therapy was stopped. Serum sex hormones values did not differ between responders and nonresponders to IFN-alpha. This study indicates that 12 months treatment with 6 MU of IFN-alpha thrice weekly does not significantly affect gonadal function in men with chronic hepatitis C. The sexual dysfunction observed could be ascribed to such other side effects of IFN as asthenia, fatigue, or anxiety, or it could have a psychologic basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Prescription opiate abuse in chronic pain patients: clinical criteria, incidence, and predictors.

OBJECTIVES: Opiates are commonly used to treat patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. There is much controversy over the definition, incidence, and risk factors of prescription opiate abuse in chronic pain treatment. The present study, done at the Seattle VA Medical Center, was designed to create opiate abuse criteria, test inter-rater reliability of the criteria, apply the criteria to a group of chronic pain patients, and correlate the risk of opiate abuse with the results of alcohol and drug testing. DESIGN/OUTCOME MEASURES: A committee of experienced pain providers designed a five-point prescription opiate abuse checklist based on DSM-III-R parameters. The criteria were then applied to patients enrolled in the pain clinic. The reliability of the criteria were determined using two providers who were familiar with every patient in the clinic. Drug, alcohol, and psychosocial testing were correlated with the risk of opiate abuse. RESULTS: A total of 19% (76/403) of all pain clinic patients were using chronic opiates. Thirty-four percent (26/76) met one, and 27.6% (21/76) met three or more of the abuse criteria. The criteria had an inter-rater reliability of > 0.9. There were no differences between chronic opiate users (n = 76) and opiate abusers (n = 21) for a history of drug or alcohol abuse or on psychosocial testing. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription opiate abuse criteria for use in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain were designed. The criteria had good reliability and can be applied during normal clinic interactions. The percentage of chronic opiate users who become opiate abusers in pain treatment is within the range reported by others. Past opiate or alcohol abuse or psychosocial testing on clinic admission failed to predict who would become an opiate abuser. The criteria can be used to identify patients who will subsequently require more intensive treatment or intervention or can be used as an outcome to measure to test the effectiveness of treatment strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Mutagenic activity of glycine upon nitrosation in the presence of chloride and human gastric juice: a possible role in gastric carcinogenesis.

The mutagenic activity of glycine upon nitrosation was studied in the Ames tester strains TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA104. The results obtained show that glycine at acidic pH values and in the presence of Cl- can react with nitrite giving rise to genotoxic compounds to the tester strains used. When these experiments were carried out in the presence of gastric juice the genotoxicity observed was associated with the Cl- concentration in the different gastric juice samples. The nature and the mechanism of genetic lesion induced by the ultimate genotoxicant arising from the nitrosation of glycine are not fully understood. Primary amines (e.g., amino acids) have been described as potential alkylating agents after nitrosation. However, in our experimental conditions these alkylating activities were not detected, suggesting that other mechanisms could be involved in the genetic lesion induced by nitrosated glycine. The influence of Cl- in the genotoxic activity of glycine and other primary amines upon nitrosation and its possible involvement in the etiology of gastric cancer are discussed.

Chlorides↗
PubMed1994

Evolution of hard metal pulmonary fibrosis in two artisan grinders of woodworking tools.

The present study describes the medical history of two cases of pulmonary fibrosis in hard metal grinders. The poor chance of foreseeing the prognosis of this disease is particularly underlined. The two workers examined have been studied for about 6 years since the diagnosis. The disease was more severe in the subject who worked a shorter time and who left work because of the disease. In the other subject, who had worked longer and never left the job, the disease was less severe and has never deteriorated with time. Therefore, removing the affected subject from work is of major importance in preventing the progression of the disease, but this is in part connected to individual susceptibility, and the cessation of work and corticosteroid therapy are not always able to provide a cure.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Endemic goiter in Calabria: etiopathogenesis and thyroid function.

An endemic goiter study was carried out in a vast territory of the Calabria region, including the provinces of Catanzaro and Cosenza. About 50% of 7231 school-children, aged between 6 and 12 years, examined in 34 villages, presented a thyroid enlargement. The high prevalence of goiter seems to be related to a moderate iodine deficiency intake indicated by a mild urinary iodine excretion (lower than 100 micrograms/g creatinine). In a few villages, in which a two year voluntary iodine prophylaxis was carried out, an increase in the urinary iodine excretion with a decreased goiter prevalence was observed. A slight increase in TT3, FT3 and TSH in one endemic area studied, compared to the control area, was also observed. These data suggest that an effective program of iodoprophylaxis is fundamental in this region as well.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Congenital sensory neuropathy with anhidrosis.

A 6-year-old girl had congenital sensory neuropathy with anhidrosis (CSNA), one of the five variants of a group of very rare genetic disorders of the peripheral nervous system--hereditary sensory neuropathies (HSN). Clinical, laboratory, and physiopathologic aspects are discussed. Dermatologic findings of anhidrosis and self-mutilation suggest the diagnosis.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Epidermal growth factor receptor and lipid membrane components in human lung cancers.

The binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the plasma membranes of 54 samples of human lung tumors was determined. These included 34 squamous cell carcinomas and 20 adenocarcinomas. Twenty samples of histologically normal lung excised surgically along with the tumors were used as controls. Most of the plasma membranes showed an EGF receptor level higher than that of normal tissue. A moderate increase in the amount of 125I-EGF bound (2-5 fold) was observed in the majority of the tumors. Only a few cases (5-10% of the total) showed a large increase (> than 10 fold). The binding of 125I-EGF was compared with clinical stages and grades of differentiation. No correlation between the stage of the tumor and 125I-EGF binding was observed. However, the highest levels of EGF receptor (EGF-R) were found in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. The total amount and the distribution pattern of gangliosides and phospholipids were analyzed in individual tumors. A decrease in GD1b, GD1a and sphingomyelin and an increase in GM1 and GM3 was observed. No correlation was detected when tumors with the highest or lowest levels of gangliosides or phospholipids were compared with tumors exhibiting the highest binding of 125I-EGF.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

[Laboratory diagnosis of growth hormone].

The role of Clinical Pathology Laboratory in normal and altered growth hormone secretion is discussed. In particular, it is reported that the normal GH secretion can be studied by serum and urine GH determinations whereas the diagnosis of GH deficiency rests upon the demonstration of an inadequate rise serum GH after provocative stimuli and serum measurement of somatomedins (IGF-I) by radioimmunoassay method. As it concerns increase GH secretion the diagnosis is clinically made (acromegaly and gigantism) and the laboratory has only the role to confirm it by the assessment of basal and stimulated GH secretion.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1992

Epidermal growth factor receptor in human brain tumors.

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was examined in 27 primary human brain tumors (7 glioblastomas, 10 astrocytomas, 5 oligodendrogliomas, 1 schwannoma, 1 ganglioneuroma, 1 medulloblastoma, 1 ependymoma, 1 histiocytic lymphoma), in 6 brain metastases from lung carcinomas and in 20 meningiomas. Peritumoral tissues histologically normal excised surgically along with a large tumor were used as control. All plasma membranes from brain tissues tested showed specific EGF binding. The EGF receptor is expressed at low levels in the control human brain and at very high levels in 60% of the total intracranial tumors studied. When the various histological types of tumors were analyzed, the higher percentage of positive tumors was found with the meningiomas (85%) and the glioblastomas (71%), while the lower percentage of positivity was found with the oligodendrogliomas (40%) and the astrocytomas (30%). A good correlation between binding and total amount of EGF-R protein detected by Western Blot was also observed.

Adult↗