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Biomedical subjects

A Martini

Publications and source records attributed to A Martini.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Serum soluble interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor and IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor complex in systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

By using a sandwich ELISA, soluble human IL-6 receptor (sIL-6 R) levels were measured in the sera of 20 healthy children and of 25 patients with systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). In patients with systemic JRA, serum sIL-6 R levels (114.6 +/- 37.7 ng/ml) were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those of healthy children (161.2 +/- 45.5 ng/ml). Serum sIL-6 R levels were negatively correlated (r = -0.610, P < 0.001) with serum IL-6 levels measured with the B9 cells. The serum IL-6/sIL-6 R complex was detected using an ELISA based on a monoclonal antibody to IL-6 for capture and on a monoclonal antibody to human sIL-6 R for detection. Healthy controls had little, if any, detectable serum IL-6/sIL-6 R complex (OD 0.024 +/- 0.027), while the majority of patients with systemic JRA presented measurable serum IL-6/sIL-6 R complex (OD 0.492 +/- 0.546). IL-6 levels estimated in the circulating IL-6/sIL-6 R complexes were in the range of nanograms per milliliter and approximately 20-fold higher than those measured by the B9 cells. Since serum C-reactive protein concentrations were much more correlated with serum levels of IL-6/sIL-6 R complexes (r = 0.713, r2 = 0.51, P < 0.0001) than with the serum IL-6 levels measured with the B9 cells (r = 0.435, r2 = 0.19, P = 0.05), the large quantities of serum IL-6 present in IL-6/sIL-6 R complexes appear to be biologically relevant in vivo, at least as far as the induction by IL-6 of acute phase protein production.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Gastric endoscopic assessment after treatment with orally administered ketoprofen lysine salt (80 mg granular sachet). Controlled study vs placebo].

In this study, a new oral granular formulation of ketoprofen lysine salt, a non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from propionic acid, and placebo, were compared for their local effect on the gastric mucosa of healthy, human volunteers. The study was carried out with a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, design. 10 healthy volunteers were administered one sachet containing 80 mg of ketoprofen lysine salt and 10 volunteers with placebo. The subjects were gastroscoped at baseline and following 10 days drug administration; tolerability was assessed by analysis of the hematology and biochemistry laboratory results, the adverse reaction reports and by the Investigator's and subject's global assessment at the final visit. No symptoms of gastric intolerance were referred in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found between treatments in laboratory results and in final post-treatment tolerability evaluation (Mann-Whitney's test U, Phi and Cramer tests).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

High prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in children with idiopathic cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) is frequently associated with thromboembolic phenomena. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of aPLs, detected as lupus anticoagulant (LA) or anticardiolipin antibody (aCL), in a group of unselected children with idiopathic cerebral ischemia. DESIGN: Prospective, case series. SETTING: A pediatric neurology department. PATIENTS: Thirteen children with cerebral ischemia (eight with stroke, three with transient ischemic attacks, and two with ocular ischemia). Age-matched apparently healthy children served as controls. MEASUREMENTS: LA and aCL determination was performed within 3 days after the occurrence of the ischemic event and was repeated after 3 to 6 months. To be defined as aPL-positive, patients had to have either a positive LA test or positive IgG and/or IgM aCL at moderate/high level in both determinations. MAIN RESULTS: Ten (76%) of the 13 patients were positive for either LA or aCL. No differences were found between aPL-positive and aPL-negative patients with respect to clinical manifestations or radiological features. Six (46%) of the 13 patients had a history of multiple ischemic events. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a very high prevalence of aPLs in children with idiopathic cerebral ischemia. Because the presence of these antibodies has relevant therapeutic implications, their determination in children with cerebral ischemia is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Leishmaniasis in Ecuador. 4. Natural infestation of the dog by Leishmania panamensis].

In two endemic leishmaniasis foci of the Pacific coast of Ecuador 34 dogs suspected of having the disease have been surveyed clinically, serologically and parasitologically; immunofluorescence and electrosyneresis tests, lymph node aspirates, biopsies and smears have been performed. From two dogs with ulcers only one had ulcers on the muzzle and the scrotum infected by Leishmania (L. guyanensis complex). The isolated strain was identified as Leishmania panamensis. The disease was strictly cutaneous. In the study area the dog seems to be more a victim-host than a reservoir.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Methods for the separation of yeast cells from the surfaces of processed, frozen foods.

More aggressive pre-isolation treatments of samples, such as vigorous shaking, jet-streaming with excess of water and sonication, were applied in sequence to the study of yeast ecology of the surface of several frozen foods. The conventional isolation method based on bland shaking was unable to disengage yeast cells from their substrates in most of the cases, while each more aggressive treatment caused progressive separation of colony-forming units (cfu) along the sequence of application of the three procedures. Altogether, in the majority of cases, a few colony forming units were found on the surface of frozen fish, poultry, vegetables and mushrooms. Conversely, the numerically poor yeast flora is almost constantly represented by many species, always different from those found on the surface of the same foods in nature before processing. The uniformity of the composition of the yeast flora throughout the four different categories of foods excludes any possible occasional origin of the yeast colonization and probably indicates a processing plant origin.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Spigelian hernia. Clinical and anatomo-surgical considerations].

The authors describe a case of Spigelian hernia observed and treated. This hernia is uncommon, although the true incidence is probably greater than the small number of patients reported in literature. The signs and symptoms of the hernia are not always characteristic and then a correct diagnosis can be difficult. Sometime instrumental examination is essential for diagnosis, when clinical examination is not clear. Surgical repair as mandatory for a correct reconstruction of the abdominal wall and a prevention of recurrences.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Characterisation of Yersinia species isolated from a kennel and from cattle and pig farms.

Between April 1984 and November 1986, 126 faeces samples were collected from puppies and bitches in a kennel and examined for Yersinia species; 45 (35.7 per cent) of them were positive. Thirty-eight isolates were Y enterocolitica, five were Y frederiksenii and two were Y intermedia. Twenty-one of the Y enterocolitica isolates belonged to serogroup 0:3 and 17 of these were L-sorbose negative; all these isolates were from puppies. One strain of Y frederiksenii and all the L-sorbose-negative Y enterocolitica serogroup 0:3 isolates were resistant to antimicrobial agents and showed four different patterns of resistance (ampicillin, cephalothin and tetracycline; ampicillin, cephalothin, streptomycin and tetracycline; ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, streptomycin and sulfathiazole; and ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, streptomycin, sulfathiazole and tetracycline. In January 1986, investigations were conducted on a cattle farm and a pig farm close to the kennel. Of 19 bovine faeces samples 11 (57.8 per cent) were positive for Yersinia species; eight yielded Y enterocolitica and four yielded Y frederiksenii. None of the Y enterocolitica isolates belonged to serogroup 0:3. Of 20 porcine faeces samples eight (40 per cent) were positive for Yersinia species; all eight yielded Y enterocolitica and four also yielded Y pseudotuberculosis. Two of the isolates of Y frederiksenii and two of the isolates of Y enterocolitica from the farms had the following resistance patterns: ampicillin, cephalothin and streptomycin; ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline; ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, streptomycin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline; and ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, streptomycin, sulphatiazole, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The endoplasmic reticulum-sarcoplasmic reticulum connection. II. Postnatal differentiation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle fibers.

The postnatal differentiation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit skeletal muscles (the slow-twitch soleus and the fast-twitch adductor muscles) was monitored between Days 1 and 12 by following on Western blots the expression and accumulation of molecular markers specific not only for the muscle endomembrane system, i.e., calsequestrin (CS) and the ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channel, but also for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at large, i.e., BiP, calnexin (CN) and calreticulin. Our results demonstrate that SR development, documented by the increase of the SR fractional volume, terminal cisternae proliferation, and reorientation of triads, is accompanied by the accumulation of the SR-specific proteins and also of CN, with no change of the other ER general markers. Moreover, the distribution of two of the markers, BiP and CS, was investigated by immunocytochemistry at both the light and the electron microscope level. At Day 1 CS was found to be concentrated both within the few recognizable triad terminal cisternae and within the lumen of numerous, apparently discrete cisternae and tubules, widely scattered throughout both the contractile and the subplasmalemmal areas of the cytoplasm. These structures remain evident until Day 12, when most triad junctions have acquired proper configuration, composition and orientation. BiP, on the other hand, appears widely distributed within the ER/SR of the fibers. From the early stages of postnatal development it does colocalize with the Ca2+ binding protein in the lumen of the CS-rich structures and appears also within the longitudinal SR and the conventional ER cisternae.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Electrophoretic karyotyping as a taxonomic tool in the genus Saccharomyces.

The electrophoretic karyotypes of strains of the ten species of the yeast genus Saccharomyces (sensu Vaughan-Martini & Martini 1992) were determined by the CHEF (contour-clamped homogeneous electric field) system of pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The number of bands was found to vary from 6 to 17 and the calculated molecular weights of haploid genomes ranged from 7.9 to 14.6 Mbp. The type strains of S. exiguus and the four species of the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex (S. bayanus, S. cerevisiae, S. paradoxus and S. pastorianus) have genomes comprised of chromosomes of all three size classes: light (< 500 kb), medium (500-1000 kb) and heavy (> 1,000 kb). Saccharomyces kluyveri DNA has only heavy bands, while the remaining species exhibit medium and heavy chromosomes. When more than one strain of each species was examined, it was seen that while the species S. bayanus, S. castellii, S. cerevisiae, S. kluyveri, S. paradoxus and S. pastorianus showed uniform karyotypes, S. dairensis, S. exiguus, S. servazzii and S. unisporus comprise heterogeneous taxa.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1993

Chronic intoxication by ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) in a child with myositis ossificans progressiva.

A child with myositis ossificans progressiva was treated for 8 years with ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) 30-40 mg/kg per day. Latterly he complained of severe, progressive bone and joint pain which made standing and walking almost impossible. A radiographic skeletal survey showed diffuse ricket-like lesions. Withdrawal of EHDP therapy produced substantial improvement in his general condition as well as in the radiographic appearance of the bones. Multiple exostoses were observed in this case and, particularly those around the knees, presented a peculiar morphology. This supports the theory that exostoses originate from a defect of metaphyseal modelling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

CD5-positive B cells in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children.

We have measured CD5+ B cell levels in the peripheral blood of 35 type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children, aged 1.1-21.2 years (10.7 +/- 4.6 years). Patients were divided into two groups according to disease duration (group I < 6 months and group II > 1.5 years). Group I included 18 patients and group II 17 patients. Thirty-nine healthy subjects, comparable for age and sex, served as controls. CD5+ B cells were identified by double immunofluorescence staining with rhodamine-conjugated rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin and with a mouse anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody revealed by a fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. We found that CD5+ B cell levels (expressed as percentages of peripheral blood B lymphocytes) were significantly higher in group I (median 24; range 4-48) than in controls (median 14; range 0-36, P < 0.001) and in group II (median 4; range 0-20, P < 0.001). A follow-up study of 12 group I patients showed a significant decline in CD5+ B cell levels. The data obtained in our diabetic patients suggest that CD5+ B cells are expanded in the early phase of type 1 diabetes mellitus and may play a role in the autoimmune process of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Multiple/heterogeneous Ca2+ stores in cerebellum Purkinje neurons.

1. The rapid and transient redistribution of Ca2+ from intracellular membrane-bound compartments (stores) is a key event of cell activation. 2. The cytological nature and molecular composition of such Ca2+ stores have been the object of intense investigation in recent years. 3. Here we review: (a) the current knowledge on intracellular Ca2+ stores of Purkinje neurons at the functional, biochemical, molecular, morphological and ultrastructural level; and discuss: (b) the relationship between Ca2+ stores and the endoplasmic reticulum, and (c) the occurrence of multiple/heterogeneous Ca2+ stores.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Correlation of serum neopterin concentrations with disease activity in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Serum neopterin concentrations were measured in 15 patients with juvenile dermatomyositis and their correlation with the severity of muscle impairment was evaluated. Neopterin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. When compared with controls (median 0.75 ng/ml; range 0.33-1.18), serum neopterin concentrations were increased in patients with active juvenile dermatomyositis (median 3.21 ng/ml; range 0.95-13.81), but not in patients during remission (median 0.81 ng/ml; range 0.55-1.34). In horizontal and longitudinal studies, serum neopterin was significantly correlated with the severity of muscle strength impairment, whereas serum muscle enzyme values were not. These data suggest that measurement of serum neopterin may be used, together with clinical examination, to guide the treatment of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Plasma levels after oral methotrexate in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Plasma levels of methotrexate (MTX) after oral administration of 6.4 to 11.2 mg/m2/week (mean 8.5 mg/m2/week) were studied in 33 children with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). MTX concentrations were measured by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDx) at 1, 2, 3, and 24 h after administration. The maximum level was observed in most patients after 1 h. No significant correlation was found between MTX dosage and the 1, 2, and 3-h plasma levels. No patient showed values in the range of probable toxicity 24 h after administration. A stepwise multiple regression analysis on 1, 2, and 3-h MTX levels, selected clinical features, dosage and duration of MTX therapy, and concomitant drug treatment showed that MTX concentrations at the different time points tend to be closely related; among the other variables, only concurrent treatment with salicylates was found to affect significantly the 3-h level. Serial determinations performed in 20 patients at the same oral dosage showed a wide interindividual and intraindividual variability of the plasma levels from the first dose to the next. Variable and unpredictable levels were observed also in most of the 8 patients studied after one or more increases of MTX dosage. No difference in MTX concentrations was observed between patients who responded to treatment and those who failed to respond, and between patients who had serum transaminase elevation and those who did not. Our results suggest that, until the pharmacokinetics of low dose MTX is clarified, routine therapeutic monitoring of MTX has a limited value in the clinical management of children with JRA.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Efficacy and tolerability of brodimoprim in bacterial otitis media in children. Controlled study versus cefaclor.

78 pediatric patients affected by acute otitis media were selected and randomized into two balanced groups of treatment: brodimoprim, at the dosage of 200 mg once-a-day on the first day and of 100 mg once-a-day on the following days, and cefaclor at a dosage of 40 mg/Kg/day in three doses. Brodimoprim resulted more efficacious in the reduction of symptoms, especially hypoacusis and tinnitus (p < 0.05 between treatments); tympanometry showed a higher number of normalizations in the brodimoprim group, without significant differences between treatments. Both drugs resulted active against most of isolated bacterial strains. Side effects were reported in 4 patients treated with brodimoprim and in 6 patients in the control group.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

[Dynamic ECG in cerebral ischemic vasculopathies].

Fifty-four subjects suffering from TIA or Stroke underwent normal ECG and Holter ECG ten days after ischemic cerebral event in order to point out cardiac dysrhythmias as possible causes of TIA or Stroke. Holter ECG proved positive in 70.3% of subjects versus 38.8% of normal ECG (p < 0.001). We underline the utility of cardiological valuation in patients suffering from TIA or Stroke in order to search for cardiac causes of ischemic cerebral events and to prevent relapses.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗