Giant cell arteritis of the leg in a patient with hepatitis C virus infection.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Moretti
Publications and source records attributed to A Moretti.
[Susceptibility of P. aeruginosa and enterobacteriaceae isolated from 1986 to 1994 in the Microbiology laboratory of the Infectious Diseases Institute of Perugia University].
From 1986 to 1994, 812 P. aeruginosa, 1997 E. coli, 437 P. mirabilis, 400 Klebsiella spp., 238 Enterobacter spp., 130 Serratia spp. strains were isolated from clinical materials in the Microbiology laboratory of the Infectious Diseases Institute of Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia University. During the study period the Authors observed the following variations in the susceptibility patterns: increased resistance of P. aeruginosa to piperacillin from 20.8% to 27.2% (P<0.05), amikacin from 11.9% to 17.5% (P<0.05), netilmicin from 11.8% to 28.6% (P<0.01), pefloxacin from 74.4% to 87.8% (P<0.01); E. coli to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin, respectively from 1.3% to 3.6% (P<0.001), from 1.5% to 3.6% (P<0.05) and from 3.2% to 9% (P<0.001); Serratia spp. to ceftazidime from 14% to 33.3% (P<0.05); Enterobacter spp. to norfloxacin from 5.1% to 13.6% (P<0.05), cotrimoxazole from 12.8% to 23.5% (P<0.05) and chloramphenicol from 19.4% to 31.8% (P<0.05). Moreover cephalotin resistant strains of E. coli decreased from 29.3% to 21.3% in the last 4 years (P<0.001).
English Abstract↗
[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mandible: a description of a clinical case and review of literature].
The authors present a rare case of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the mandible in an 81-year old woman. The location of this NHL caused problems in making a differential diagnosis between periodontal and tumoral disease as they have similar symptoms (i.e. dental pain, swelling, ulceration and radiologically detected rarefaction). The present work emphasizes how important correct diagnosis and staging of the primary NHL are to good therapy. The patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is alive and disease-free 12 months after treatment.
Aged↗
Functional diversity of P-type and R-type calcium channels in rat cerebellar neurons.
By combining single-channel and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we have established the sensitivity to omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-conotoxin MVIIC (SNX-230) of G1, G2, and G3, the three novel non-L-, non-N-type Ca2+ channels characterized previously in rat cerebellar granule cells. G1 channels were blocked irreversibly by both omega-conotoxin MVIIC and low doses of omega-agatoxin IVA (saturation at 50 nM). Thus, according to pharmacological criteria, G1 channels must be classified as P-type Ca2+ channels. Being slowly inactivating during depolarizing pulses and completely inactivated at voltages in which steady-state inactivation of P-type channels in Purkinje cells is negligible, G1 represents a novel P subtype. Neither G2 nor G3 was blocked irreversibly by omega-conotoxin MVIIC, and therefore both are R-type Ca2+ channels. G2 and G3 have some biophysical properties similar to those of low-voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels (e.g., voltage range for steady-state inactivation, V 1/2 = -90 mV), some properties similar to those of high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels (e.g., high sensitivity to Cd2+ block), and other properties intermediate between those of LVA and HVA Ca2+ channels, with LVA properties prevailing in G2 and HVA properties prevailing in G3. The R-type whole-cell current was inhibited by Ni2+ with a biphasic dose-response curve (IC50: 4 and 153 microM), suggesting that G2 and G3 may have a different sensitivity to Ni2+ block. Our results uncover functional diversity of both native P-type and R-type Ca2+ channels and show that R subtypes with distinct biophysical properties are coexpressed in rat cerebellar granule cells.
Animals↗
Is the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent proton pumping activity of the synaptic vesicles a factor involved in the cerebral hypoxia?
The changes in the Mg(2+)-dependent V-type ATPase activity and the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent H+ pumping activity of the synaptic vesicles from the cerebral cortex of rats submitted to intermittent chronic (4 weeks) mild or severe hypoxia were evaluated. The adaptation to the chronic severe hypoxia increases both the ATPase and the H+ pumping activities which are inhibited by NEM with an exponential relationship between the IC(50) values and the in vivo O2 concentration. The Mg(2+)-dependent increase in H+ pumping activity of synaptic vesicles from the rats subjected to in vivo chronic hypoxia may be antagonized by nigericin (dissipating delta pH) and by FCCP (dissipating delta pH and delta psi SV). In contrast, valinomycin (dissipating the delta psi SV) and facilitating an enhancement in delta pH) increases in vitro the H+ pumping activity that is inhibited by the addition of high concentration of K gluconate (reducing the rate of K+ efflux). The preincubation of vesicles from hypoxic rats with FCCP, but not with nigericin, inhibits the valinomycin-increased H+ pumping activity. L-glutamate increases the H+ pumping activity in synaptic vesicles from the cerebral cortex of chronic hypoxic rats, whereas other amino acids (i.e., L-aspartate and L-homocysteate) and glutamate analogs (i.e., quisqualate and ibotenate) are ineffective. The adaptation to both chronic intermittent severe hypoxia and in vivo treatment with posatireline causes a decrease in the Mg(2+)-ATPase activity consistent with the decrease in the H+ pumping one of the synaptic vesicles. The addition of nigericin into incubation medium magnifies the decrease in the H+ pumping activity, while the addition of FCCP is ineffective, suggesting that the treatment with posatireline interferes with the delta psi SV component in the delta mu H+ of the synaptic vesicles from rats submitted to chronic hypoxia. The results of the in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that in the synaptic vesicles from hypoxic rats the delta psi SV component in delta mu H+ may be most effective in increasing the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent H+ pumping activity.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
17-Hydroxyprogesterone response to ACTH in bilateral and monolateral adrenal incidentalomas.
The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of 21-hydroxylase deficiency, a cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in incidentally discovered asymptomatic adrenal masses (incidentalomas) and to compare the prevalence of this enzymatic disorder in monolateral (M) and bilateral (B) forms. Twenty-seven patients with incidentalomas (12 M and 15 B) and 16 sex and age-matched controls (C) received synthetic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH, 250 micrograms i.v.). Plasma 17-OHprogesterone (17-OHP) and cortisol were collected in basal conditions and after 30, 60, 90 minutes. Basal plasma 17-OHP in C [1.25 +/- 0.15 (0.61) ng/ml, mean +/- SE (SD)] was not significantly different from that in patients with M [0.85 +/- 0.13 (0.44) ng/ml] or B [0.94 +/- 0.23 (0.90) ng/ml] incidentalomas. After ACTH, 17-OHP levels significantly (p < 0.05) increased in C, in M and B incidentalomas. However, the rise in plasma 17-OHP in C both in terms of peak [2.5 +/- 0.28 (1.1) ng/ml] and of AUC values [174 +/- 16 (64) ng/ml/min] was significantly lower than that observed in M [peak 6.32 +/- 1.66 (5.7) ng/ml, p < 0.01; AUC 410 +/- 111 (385.5) ng/ml/min, p < 0.01] and in B [peak 8.84 +/- 1.98 (7.65) ng/ml, p < 0.001; AUC 613 +/- 149 (579.3), ng/ml/min, p < 0.001] incidentalomas. Individual data indicated that while 17-OHP response to ACTH in C never reached 5 ng/ml (cut-off for normal response), 16 out of 27 patients with incidentalomas (59.2%) exceeded this value. Moreover, the abnormal response was more frequently observed in B (66.6%) than in M (50%) incidentalomas. Basal and stimulated plasma cortisol did not differ among the three groups. In conclusion, our data indicate that in adrenal incidentalomas the endocrine pattern of 21-hydroxylase deficiency is very common and that this enzymatic defect is more frequent in bilateral than in monolateral lesions.
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
dCTP misincorporation in a Chinese hamster mutator phenotype: the role of GGA genetic context.
Clone CSA7 is a CHEF18 hamster cell line that shows an increased intracellular accumulation of dCTP. To localize the mutations that accumulate spontaneously in a functional gene of such a mutator phenotype, independent CSA7 mutants of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) gene were isolated and screened by a polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism technique. Sixty-two percent of mutants produced detectable changes of the strand migration profile and the mutations were preferentially localized in the exons 3 (31%) and 6 (62%). The sequencing of such exons revealed that the rate of C base incorporation was the major mutation pathway and that the A base of a GGA sequence was the preferential site of misincorporation.
Animals↗
Fusaproliferin production by Fusarium subglutinans and its toxicity to Artemia salina, SF-9 insect cells, and IARC/LCL 171 human B lymphocytes.
Fusarium subglutinans is an important pathogen of maize and other commodities worldwide. We examined MRC-115 and 71 other F. subglutinans strains from various geographic areas for their ability to synthesize fusaproliferin, a novel toxic sesterterpene recently isolated from F. proliferatum. Fusaproliferin production ranged from 30 to 1,500 micrograms/g of dried ground substrate, with 33 strains producing more than 500 micrograms/g. In particular, strain MRC-115 produced as much as 1,100 to 1,300 micrograms/g. In toxicity studies of two invertebrate models, fusaproliferin was toxic to Artemia salina (50% lethal dose, 53.4 microM) and to the lepidopteran cell line SF-9 (50% cytotoxic concentration, approximately 70 microM, after a 48-h exposure). Fusaproliferin was also toxic to the human nonneoplastic B-lymphocyte cell line IARC/LCL 171 (50% cytotoxic concentration, approximately 55 microM in culture in stationary phase after a 48-h exposure). Experiments performed will cells exposed at seeding suggested a possible cytostatic effect at subtoxic concentrations.
Animals↗
[Multifrequency tympanometry in Meniere's disease: preliminary results].
Tympanometry with 220 Hz probe tone mainly measures compliance related components of the middle ear. Only higher frequency probe tones provide information on mass related components. In order to study the behavior of the mass related components in endolymphatic hydrops, the Authors tested 15 Ménière's disease patients and 10 healthy subjects using multifrequency tympanometry. In both groups tympanometry with 220 and 678 Hz probe tone was employed to evaluate resonance frequency. The presence of a "camel hump" ([symbol: see text]) pattern obtained with the 678 Hz probe tone test indicated an elastic tympano-ossicular system (low point of middle ear resonance); the presence of an inverted "V" ([symbol: see text]) pattern showed a more rigid system (high point of middle ear resonance). In Ménière's disease carriers multifrequency tympanometry revealed 21 ears (70%) with a resonance frequency higher and 6 (20%) lower than 678 Hz. Three patterns (10%) were not classifiable. In the healthy group resonance frequency resulted lower than 678 Hz in 23 ears (57.5%); in 13 ears higher (32.5%). Four patterns (10%) were not classifiable. In Ménière's disease carriers the tympanometric patterns found with 678 Hz probe tone indicated the presence of a more rigid tympano-ossicular system.
Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
[The history of nasal valve surgery].
Nasal valve surgery involves the Nasal Valve Area and its deformities, as well as its surrounding structures. Since there is no single technique to solve every type of pathology, there are numerous works on this topic in the literature. The rhinologist to perform such surgery should thoroughly deal with all the components (i.e. nasal valve area, nasal bones, tip, spine, vestibulum and turbinates). However, even more so, he should be able to precisely locate the cartilaginous and/or osseous structural deformity impairing nasal air flow. Therefore, intuition and experience play a key role in planning such surgery. It is not easy to recognize the unique, or even more difficult, the partial defect the correction of which would improve overall nasal function. Every surgical technique has some "biologic cost": sclerosis, adhesions, and scar retraction. However, in this case the surgery could prove even more biologically costly as it could worsen the already poor nasal breathing. Therefore, the surgeon must strictly follow two basic rules: a) employ a proper approach to the region; b) do not endanger nasal valve function to satisfy esthetics. Valve area anomalies can be divided into primary and secondary. The latter are caused by trauma or surgery (1.2%). Among the wide range of techniques mentioned in the literature, the authors prefer the anatomical, surgical classification by Zijilker and Quaedvilieg as it incorporates the philosophy the rhinosurgeon must keep in mind when aiming to restore both nasal functions and esthetics through different, specific techniques.
History, 20th Century↗
["Prolonged" decay test and auditory brainstem responses in the clinical diagnosis of the chronic fatigue syndrome].
The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was formally defined to describe disabling fatigue of unknown etiology with immunologic disfunctions. In most cases occur abnormalities of neurophysiological tests. In this paper the Authors use the low (11 pps) and high (51-71 pps) frequency ABR for detecting the electrophysiological function of auditory brainstem responses and propose the "Prolonged Decay Test", a modified impedenzometric technique that explores any alterations of the stapedial contraction, as a new diagnostic test for CFS. Twenty-one patients with suspected CFS, with an age between 17 and 50 years, were examined and the instrumental data were correlated with the clinical findings. The results of the ABR study showed in the examined subjects no many abnormalities in the 11 pps frequency test. The high frequency stimulation trials (with 51 and 71 pps) proved many alterations in 10 patients (absence of the first wave in 6 cases, in 5 many wave latency delay and in 1 patient absence of the first wave and many wave latency delay). The high frequency trials showed no abnormalities in the 11 remaining patients. The clinical-audiological correlation showed a 61.9% of comparison with 33.3% of false negatives and 4.8% of false positives. The Prolonged Decay Test showed a 71.4% of clinical-audiological comparison with 23.8% of false negatives and 4.8% of false positives. The Prolonged Decay Test together with the ABR showed a 81.8% of clinical-audiological comparison with 18.2% of false negatives and 0% of false positives. These preliminary data show that the stapedial reflex together with the ABR test could be useful for the diagnosis of CFS.
Adolescent↗
[Carcinoma in ectopic Warthin's tumor: a case study and review of the literature].
Warthin's tumor is the second most common salivary gland tumor preceded only by pleomorphic adenoma. In most cases it involves the parotid gland and can, at times, be bilateral. It can also arise in ectopic salivary tissue in the latero-cervical and para-parotid lymph nodes. This neoplasm consists of two histologic components: one epithelial, the other lymphoid. Malignant transformation involving each of these tissues has been reported. However, few cases give clear-cut examples of the epithelial malignant change. Therefore, primary malignant transformation of Warthin's tumor is extremely rare. This event appears related to the initial time of tumor onset and/or past radiotherapy for other malignant cervico-facial lesions. The authors report a case of epidermoid carcinoma arising on an ectopic Warthin's tumor in a 57-year-old male. Physical examination revealed a recent, smooth tumor mass on the left, located near the laryngeal thyroid cartilage. Fine needle aspiration cytology was suspicious of a malignant epithelial neoplasm. Functional latero-cervical dissection, modified by excision of the digastric and sternohyoid muscles plus a 2 x 2 cm section of the overlying skin, was performed in this case. Histology and immunocytochemical tests on the surgical specimen revealed a 14 cytokeratin-positive, malignant epidermoid neoplasm arising from the adjacent 14 cytokeratin-negative, oncocytic epithelium. This relationship may rule out metastasis and may, therefore, be a case of Warthin's tumor associated with an epidermoid carcinoma or a case of branchial cyst.
Adenolymphoma↗
Isolation and characterization of fusaproliferin, a new toxic metabolite from Fusarium proliferatum.
A new toxic sesterterpene, named fusaproliferin, was purified from corn kernel cultures (120 mg/kg dry culture) of a strain of Fusarium proliferatum isolated from corn ear rot in northern Italy. The stain, designated ITEM-1494, also produced fumonisin B1 (1.500 mg/kg dry culture) and beauvericin (90 mg/kg dry culture), but not moniliformin. To monitor toxicity, the brine shrimp assay was used throughout the isolation procedure. Fusaproliferin had a molecular formula of C27H40O5, and it is the first sesterterpene isolated from a Fusarium species.
Animals↗
Production of type A trichothecenes and enniatin B by Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel sensu lato.
Twenty-nine Fusarium isolates, representing three new taxa originated by Nirenberg from F. sambucinum Fuckel sensu lato, namely: F. sambucinum Fuckel sensu stricto, F. venenotum Nirenb., and F. torulosum (Berk. & Curt.) Nirenb., were tested for in vitro production of toxic secondary metabolites on autoclaved corn kernels. F. sambucinum sensu stricto was able to produce type A trichothecenes and enniatin B (EB). In particular, amongst the 14 isolates tested, 5 produced only diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) (up to 700 micrograms/g); 1 produced only neosolaniol (NEOS) (250 micrograms/g); 2 produced T-2 toxin (T-2) + NEOS (up to 175 and 150 micrograms/g, respectively); 1 produced NEOS + DAS (300 and 100 micrograms/g, respectively); and 5 produced DAS + EB (up to 500 and 140 micrograms/g, respectively). All six isolates of F. venenotum were able to produce only DAS (up to 100 micrograms/g). F. torulosum produced no trichothecenes, but four out of nine tested isolates were able to produce EB (up to 140 micrograms/g). Zearalenones and type B trichothecenes were not found. The toxicity of the culture extracts towards Artemia salina L. was correlated in general with the occurrence of the above toxins, except for some F. torulosum strains. However, the lack of correlation between the amounts of toxins recovered and toxic activity observed in the Geotrichum candidum Link ex Pers. and A. salina assays suggested the presence of unknown toxic compounds.
Animals↗
Fertility of Fusarium moniliforme from maize and sorghum related to fumonisin production in Italy.
Forty-three strains of Fusarium moniliforme isolated from infected maize and sorghum plants in Italy were assayed for their ability to produce fertile crosses with "A" and "F" mating population tester strains, in relation to their ability to produce fumonisins on maize substrate. Most of the strains isolated from maize (ear and stalk rot and maize-based feed), producing fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) (up to 4,100 and 855 mg/kg, respectively), belonged to the "A" mating population. All of the strains isolated from sorghum belonged to the "F" mating population and produced little or no FB1 and FB2. This is the first report of the occurrence of mating population "F" in Europe. Our data on strains from Italy are consistent with previous studies from the United States that found significant differences in sexual fertility and fumonisin production between strains from maize and sorghum.
Crosses, Genetic↗
Age- and peroxidative stress-related modifications of the cerebral enzymatic activities linked to mitochondria and the glutathione system.
The aging brain undergoes a process of enhanced peroxidative stress, as shown by reports of altered membrane lipids, oxidized proteins, and damaged DNA. The aims of this review are to examine: (1) the possible contribution of mitochondrial processes to the formation and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aging brain; and (2) the age-related changes of antioxidant defenses, both enzymatic and nonenzymatic. It will focus on studies investigating the role of the electron transfer chain as the site of ROS formation in brain aging and the alterations of the glutathione system, also in relation to the effects of exogenous pro-oxidant agents. The possible role of peroxidative stress in age-related neurodegenerative diseases will also be discussed.
Aging↗
Food, water, and a patient's final days.
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Advance Directives↗
[Auditory brain stem evoked potentials in the evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome].
The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was formally defined to describe disabling fatigue of multifactorial ethology with depression and immunologic dysfunctions linked to some currently recognized infectious agents. In most cases neurophysiological tests reveal abnormalities. In this paper the Authors use low (11 pps) and high (51-71 pps) frequency ABR to evaluate the electrophysiological function of auditory brainstem responses. Eighteen patients with suspected CFS, between the ages of 17 and 63, were examined. Eleven subjects had clinically diagnosed "true" CFS (CDC criteria modified by Fukuda). The 11 pps frequency test did not reveal a high number of abnormalities in the patients in question. However, the high frequency stimulation test (with 51 and 71 pps) which was statistically significant (P = 0.009) revealed numerous aberrations in 7 patients; absence of the first wave in 1 case, in 5 numerous wave gap delays and in 1 patient absence of the first wave and numerous wave gap delays. The high frequency test did not show many abnormalities for the 4 remaining patients. For the 7 "non CFS" subjects, the clinical-audiological comparison showed no statistical significance (P = 0.920). The Authors hypothesize that the absence of the first wave in the CFS Subject may well indicate a cyto-neural junction disease in the organ of Corti. The combined analysis of clinical and audiological data showed that the described tests are more reliable when employed in dealing with patients with clinically assessed "true" CFS.
Adolescent↗