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Biomedical subjects

A Neri

Publications and source records attributed to A Neri.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

The influence of thiamine deficiency and ethanol on rat brain catecholamines.

In rats treated with a thiamine deficient diet for 30 days the brain content of total thiamine decreased by 27-50%. Thiamine deficiency decreased the dopamine (DA) concentration of the striatum indicating a reduced synthesis of DA. In the hypothalamus the levels of the catecholamine metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl glycol (HMPG) were reduced indicating a reduced DA and noradrenaline (NA) turnover. Animals on a diet containing 5% ethanol had increased concentrations of HVA and HMPG in rest brain indicating an increased DA and NA turnover. The concentration of 1-carboxysalsolinol (1-CSAL) and salsolinol (SAL) in the brain stem was increased in animals receiving ethanol. Thus, both thiamine deficiency and ethanol treatment influenced the catecholamine system in a complex region-dependent way. In the brain regions most susceptible to brain damage in thiamine deficiency, i.e., hypothalamus and brain stem, 1-CSAL and SAL increased most following thiamine deficiency combined with ethanol intake.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1988

Couple sex therapy for dysfunctions associated with congenital penile curvature.

Three couples presented to our clinic with congenital ventral curvature of the penis resulting in unconsummated marriage in 2 cases and dyspareunia in 1. Intensive sex therapy was initiated, including use of vaginal dilators for vaginismus and dyspareunia, sex education, sensate focus exercises, and sexual techniques and methods to increase communication. Two highly motivated couples succeeded in having painless, normal, pleasurable sexual relations after short-term sex therapy. The problems of couple 3 were compounded by the wife's admitted lesbianism. However, this patient insisted on corrective surgery for her husband but she divorced him shortly thereafter. This nonsurgical approach for the treatment of sexual dysfunction secondary to penile curvature appears to be effective in selected cases. When corrective surgery is undertaken sex therapy is recommended to reinforce the operative results.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Analysis of RAS oncogene mutations in human lymphoid malignancies.

We investigated the frequency of mutations activating RAS oncogenes in human lymphoid malignancies, including B- and T-cell-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. By the polymerase chain reaction/oligonucleotide hybridization method, DNA from 178 cases was analyzed for activating mutations involving codons 12 and 61 of the HRAS, KRAS and NRAS genes and codon 13 of the NRAS gene. Mutations involving codons 12 or 13 of the NRAS gene were detected in 6 of 33 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6/33, 18%), whereas no mutations were found in non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Direct nucleotide sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction products showed that the mutations involved a G----A transition in five of the six cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia. In four cases the mutations seemed to occur in only a fraction of the neoplastic cells, and one case displayed two distinct NRAS mutations, most likely present in two distinct cell populations. These results indicate the following: (i) RAS oncogenes are not found in all types of human malignancies, (ii) significant differences in the frequency of RAS mutations can be found among subtypes of neoplasms derived from the same tissue, (iii) in lymphoid neoplasms the NRAS mutation correlates with the most undifferentiated acute lymphocytic leukemia phenotype, and (iv) NRAS mutations present in only a fraction of malignant cells may result from either the selective loss or the acquisition of mutated alleles during tumor development.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Different regions of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus are involved in chromosomal translocations in distinct pathogenetic forms of Burkitt lymphoma.

We show that endemic (eBL), sporadic (sBL), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated (AIDS-BL) forms of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) carrying t(8;14) chromosomal translocations display different breakpoints within the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus (IGH) on chromosome 14. In sBL (7 out of 11) and AIDS-BL (5 out of 6), the breakpoints occurred within or near the IGH mu switch (S-mu) region on chromosome 14 and within the c-myc locus (MYC) on chromosome 8. In most eBL (13 out of 16) the breakpoints were mapped within or 5' to the IGH joining (JH region on chromosome 14 and outside the MYC locus on chromosome 8. Cloning and sequencing of the t(8;14) chromosomal junctions from two eBL cell lines and one eBL biopsy sample show that the recombinations do not involve IGH-specific recombination signals on chromosome 14 or homologous sequences on chromosome 8, suggesting that these events are not likely to be mediated by the same mechanisms or enzymes as in IGH rearrangements. In general, these data have implications for the timing of occurrence of chromosomal translocations during B-cell differentiation in different BL types.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Frequent c-myc oncogene activation and infrequent presence of Epstein-Barr virus genome in AIDS-associated lymphoma.

Sixteen cases of histologic intermediate-grade and high-grade AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were studied for the presence and patterns of c-myc gene and bcl-2 locus rearrangements. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences and proteins and HTLV-I sequences were also investigated. c-myc gene rearrangements analogous to those observed in sporadic Burkitt lymphomas were detected in 12 of 16 cases. Six of 16 cases had detectable EBV sequences and proteins. None of the cases displayed bcl-2 rearrangements or contained HTLV-I sequences. These data suggest a frequent role for c-myc activation in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated NHL, independent of histologic type. Conversely, EBV does not appear to be directly involved in lymphomagenesis in the majority of AIDS-associated NHLs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Patterns of T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement and expression in B and T lymphoid malignancies.

The frequency and pattern of T gamma gene rearrangement and expression was investigated in hematopoietic neoplasms including T and B lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. 39 of 39 T lymphoid neoplasms, including fresh cases and cell lines, were found to display clonal T gamma gene rearrangements. There was heterogeneity with respect to utilization of the two T gamma constant region genes, T gamma C1 and T gamma C2. In 31 cases (80%) T gamma C1 was deleted and T gamma C2 was rearranged, while in the remaining 8 cases (20%) T gamma C1 was rearranged. T gamma gene rearrangements were found in non-T cells, but were restricted to 6/17 (35%) immature B cell neoplasms. All 24 mature B cell and 14 myeloid neoplasms retained the T gamma germ line pattern. T gamma mRNA was found in all T cells tested. However, the majority (16/17) of T cells most likely do not express a T gamma protein since a T alpha/beta heterodimer detected by reactivity with the MoAb WT31 is present on the cell surface together with T3. These data suggest that T gamma gene rearrangements are universal in T cells and frequent in immature B cell neoplastic populations. However, expression of the T gamma protein is extremely infrequent, indicating that T cell neoplasms are very rarely derived from the recently identified T3+T gamma +T alpha/beta- peripheral T cell population.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1987

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with sickle cell disease: a case report.

A case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with leukemic spread in a patient affected with homozygous sickle cell disease is reported. This association has not been previously described. A correlation between the malignancy and the hemoglobinopathy could not be etiologically ascertained; therefore, an alternative explanation to a chance event cannot be offered.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1987

Genotypic monoclonality in immunophenotypically polyclonal orbital lymphoid tumors. A model of tumor progression in the lymphoid system. The 1986 Wendell Hughes lecture.

Molecular genetic (genotypic) analysis elucidates gene rearrangements within lymphocytes that are responsible for either immunoglobulin production in B-lymphocytes or the expression of cell-surface antigen recognition receptors in T-lymphocytes. Molecular genetic analysis is far more sensitive than immunophenotypic methods for the detection of small clones of lymphocytes because as few as 2 to 5% of cells in an infiltrate can be discovered to possess the same rearranged DNA sequences with genetic probes. In truly polyclonal proliferations, each lymphocyte reorganizes its immunoglobulin or T-antigen receptor genes in a unique manner, resulting in an almost infinite number of combinations of genetic rearrangement and the absence of any new hybridizing bands upon Southern blotting. In monoclonal proliferations, a new, homogeneous, nongermline band is identified on Southern blotting because a sufficiently large number of lymphocytes exhibit an identical genetic rearrangement. In a group of five orbital lymphoid tumors that appeared to be benign reactive hyperplasias by light microscopy and that were polyclonal by immunophenotypic methods, three were found by molecular genetic analysis to harbor small clones of B-lymphocytes with new rearrangement bands on Southern blotting. No clonal abnormalities of T-lymphocytes were found in these five lesions, despite the fact that they were the preponderant cells in the tumors. These observations suggest that "reactive lymphoid hyperplasia" of the orbit may be an unstable lesion, owing to a T-cell immunoregulatory imbalance, with the potential for developing clonal expansions of B-lymphocytes that nonetheless usually remain localized to the orbit.

DNA↗
PubMed1987

The effect of long-term administration of digoxin on plasma androgens and sexual dysfunction.

The effect of long-term administration of digoxin on sexual dysfunction was investigated in correlation to plasma androgens level. The patients of the experimental (digoxin-treated) and control (without digoxin) groups were of similar cardiac functional capacity and age (25-40 years) and were randomly selected from the rheumatic heart disease patients. A subjective assessment of sexual behavior was carried out, using parameters such as sexual desire, sexual excitement, and frequency of sexual relations. Personal interviews and questionnaires were also used for the evaluation of sexual behavior. The findings support various reports concerning digoxin effect on plasma levels of testosterone (the difference in the mean was significant). The effect on plasma levels of androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in the experimental group as compared to the control group were not significant. Tests used to evaluate the changes in sexual behavior, showed a significant decrease in sexual desire, sexual excitement phase (erection) and frequency of sexual relations in the digoxin-treated group.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Germ-line configuration of the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene in B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders which co-express T-cell antigens.

In 7 cases of chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders-6 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in leukaemic phase--which co-expressed T-cell markers (CD3, CD2) the clonal origin was investigated at the DNA level. In accordance with the diagnosis, all cases showed a monoclonally rearranged configuration of the immunoglobulin genes. On the contrary, the T-cell receptor beta chain gene always retained a germ-line organization. These findings demonstrate that B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders which co-express T-cell-related markers are truly composed of monoclonal B-cell elements.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1987

Vehicular trauma in pregnancy: an algorithm for diagnosis and fetal therapy.

The incidence of motor vehicle accidents resulting in trauma in pregnant women is increasing. The best chance for fetal survival is to ensure maternal survival, so awareness of the types of injuries and their presentation after vehicular trauma is of the utmost importance. An algorithm for the approach to diagnosis and fetal therapy based upon obstetrics and trauma care parameters is hereby presented to the trauma team.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1987

Decreased induced retention of the progesterone receptor in the nuclear extract in human uterine leiomyoma in vivo.

Progesterone receptor (RP) levels were measured in the cytosol and in the 0.4 M KCl nuclear extract of human uterine leiomyoma, myometrium and endometrium; the synthetic progestin [3H]-R5020 was used as a ligand. The women were divided into groups A-D as follows: A, 7 women with no treatment; B, 7 women who received progesterone injection 1-3 h before tissue collection; C, 4 women who received conjugated estrogens 7-11 days before tissue collection; D, 5 women who received both conjugated estrogen and progesterone treatments. The following results were demonstrated: Total RP levels in the leiomyoma were significantly higher than the corresponding levels in the myometrium of the same uterus; after estrogen treatment these differences diminished. Leiomyoma challenged with progesterone expressed significantly lower RP levels in their nuclei than did the corresponding endometrium and myometrium. These results indicate the possibility of a defect of RP dynamics in human uterine leiomyoma.

Cytosol↗
PubMed1987

Prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a retrospective multicentric study from the GIMEMA group.

Clinical and biological data were evaluated using Desu univariate analyses or Cox multivariate analyses in a series of 1,777 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients from an Italian Cooperative Group. In univariate analyses, age and sex of patients, presence of bone marrow (BM; greater than or equal to 50%), and peripheral blood (PB; greater than or equal to 60,000/microL) lymphocytosis, anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] less than 11 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000/microL), direct Coombs' test positivity, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and extent of lymph node involvement were shown to be of significant prognostic value. Multivariate analyses, through a stepwise procedure, showed that the most important prognostic variables are Hb, hepatomegaly, lymph node involvement, PB lymphocytosis, and age and sex of patients. Further covariates would produce an improvement having a nonsignificant P value. Based on the results of multivariate analyses, a four-step staging using the significant variables of the Cox model is proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Menopausal hot flushes and plasma beta-endorphins.

Plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured in five women in physiologic menopause suffering from frequent episodes of hot flushes, recorded objectively by the measurement of finger temperature. Significantly lower levels of plasma beta-endorphin levels were found at the onset of the hot flushes than five to 20 minutes before (P less than .001). After the flush there was a significant rise of plasma beta-endorphin levels at five, ten, and 15 minutes (P less than .002).

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed1987

Glucocerebroside storage in normal monocyte cultures.

Glucocerebroside in Gaucher disease is stored in large Gaucher cells of monocyte-macrophage origin. Our aim was to achieve storage of this substrate in monocytes in vitro, in order to mimick the Gaucher cells in vivo. The method described using glucocerebroside-albumin complex, enabled such uptake and storage. The monocytes used changed to large hellical cells. Glucocerebrosidase activity was not affected by the accumulation and storage of the substrate. Although morphological evidence for the accumulation of glucocerebroside within the lysosomes has not yet been obtained, we suggest that these monocytes might represent an in vitro model for the study of Gaucher cells.

Cells, Cultured↗