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Biomedical subjects

A Pasini

Publications and source records attributed to A Pasini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Symptom profile, Axis II comorbidity and suicidal behaviour in young males with DSM-III-R depressive illnesses.

We assessed the descriptive validity of DSM-III-R major depression (MDD), dysthymia (DD) and adjustment disorder with depressed mood (ADDM) by comparing the clinical profiles of 176 young male patients. The severity of depression increased progressively across the three diagnostic groups (ADDM < DD < MDD). Symptom presentation did not distinguish clearly between the diagnostic groups, even though somatic symptoms were more frequent among MDD patients. The prevalence of personality disorders was much higher (43%) among DD patients than among MDD (22%) and ADDM (15%) patients. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts differed in the three diagnostic groups (MDD 27%, DD 17%, ADDM 4%). Assessment of Axis II comorbidity and suicidal behavior can improve the diagnostic distinction between these DSM-III-R depressive illnesses.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1996

The anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine in substantia nigra is dependent upon endogenous serotonin.

Fluoxetine, a serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, has been documented to exert a protective action against convulsive seizures in animal models, when administered either systemically, or focally into substantia nigra. It is likely that the mechanism of anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine is due to an enhancement of endogenous 5-HT transmission. To evaluate this possibility in the context of the anticonvulsant action of intranigral fluoxetine, we examined the influence of 5-HT-mediated transmission in substantia nigra on seizure susceptibility in a rat model of focally evoked complex partial seizures. In addition to fluoxetine (3.5 nmol), we found that the directly acting 5-HT receptor agonists, 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine (TFMPP) (10 nmol), 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (m-CPP) (7.4 nmol), gepirone (70 nmol) and 2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT) (10 nmol), when microinjected bilaterally into substantia nigra, protected rats from limbic motor seizures evoked focally from area tempestas, an epileptogenic site in the deep rostral piriform cortex. This indicates that multiple 5-HT receptor subtypes in substantia nigra may contribute to seizure regulation. Consistent with this, the 5-HT antagonist, metergoline, partially reversed the anticonvulsant action of intranigral fluoxetine. Depletion of endogenous 5-HT, by pretreatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), completely prevented the anticonvulsant action of intranigral fluoxetine, without modifying the anticonvulsant effect of intranigral TFMPP. These findings support the proposal that the anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine in substantia nigra is due to an enhancement of the synaptic action of endogenous 5-HT in substantia nigra which in turn is mediated via multiple 5-HT receptors. Endogenous 5-HT transmission in substantia nigra is therefore capable of limiting the development and propagation of seizure activity generated in limbic circuits.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1996

Marked decrease of plasma neuroactive steroids during alcohol withdrawal.

The neuroactive steroids allopregnanolone (ALLO) and allotet-rahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) are the most potent endogens positive modulators of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABAA receptors, a receptor system presumably responsible for some behavioral responses to alcohol withdrawal. In a group of nine alcoholic subjects, the levels of plasma ALLO and THDOC were markedly lower than those of control subjects during the early withdrawal phase (day 4 and 5), when anxiety and depression scores were higher. In contrast ALLO and THDOC plasma levels did not differ from those of control subjects during the late withdrawal phase when anxiety and depression scores were low. These results suggest that the decrease of neuroactive steroid biosynthesis may contribute to the withdrawal symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nonverbal behavior and alexithymic traits in normal subjects. Individual differences in encoding emotions.

The relationship between nonverbal behavior and emotional awareness, as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, was studied in 24 young volunteers free of medical and psychiatric disorders. Multiple regression analysis revealed that nonverbal behavior during psychiatric interview was a significant predictor of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale total score independent of situational depression and anxiety. Subjects who had difficulty identifying and describing their feelings showed a combination of poor nonverbal expressivity and frequent self-directed behavior patterns indicative of tension and anxiety. In addition, subjects with a tendency toward externally oriented thinking showed more avoidance behavior during the interview. The ethological data of this study support clinical observations, which suggest that alexithymic traits interfere with both processing of emotion and interpersonal behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Neural crest and multiple endocrinopathies].

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is a cancer syndrome which comprises three related disorders, MEN type 2A (MEN 2A), type 2B (MEN 2B) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), MEN 2A is characterized by the association of MTC, a tumour arising from thyroid C-cells, pheochromocytoma and parathyroid hyperplasia. In addition to the thyroid cancer, MEN 2B associates pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, ganglioneuromatosis of the digestive tract and skeletal abnormalities. In FMTC, the MTC is the sole clinical manifestation. MEN 2 is a dominantly inherited neural crest disorder caused by germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene. The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, which displays a cadherin-like domain and a cysteine rich motif in its extracellular part. Missense mutations at one of five cysteines clustered in the extra-cytoplasmic domain of RET have been identified in the majority of the MEN 2A families and in two-thirds of FMTC. A single point mutation leading to the replacement of a methionine by a threonine within the tyrosine kinase domain has been detected in almost all cases of MEN 2B. We have screened 170 french MEN 2 families and a germline mutations in the RET gene have been identified in 92% of cases. Moreover, we confirmed the significant correlation between the nature, the position of the RET mutations and the clinical phenotype. The accurate identification by DNA testing of individual predisposed to MEN 2 suggests new protocols of treatment. Thyroidectomy as early as 6 years of age in individuals with MEN 2 mutations has been recently advocated by clinicians. We further provide evidence that MEN 2A and MEN 2B mutations convert the RET proto-oncogene in a dominantly-acting transforming gene due to the ligand-independent constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase. Finally, we have constructed transgenic mice carrying the RET gene carrying a MEN 2A mutation fused to the calcitonin gene related peptide/calcitonin promoter. Animals of three independent transgenic lines developed C-cell hyperplasia and subsequently MTC with a complete penetrance. Taken together, these findings indicate that MEN 2A form of RET is oncogenic in thyroid C-cells, and suggest that these transgenic animals should prove a valuable model for hereditary MTC. Future work should yield insights in the signaling pathways subverted by the RET-MEN 2 proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of fluoxetine on aggressive behavior of adult inpatients with mental retardation and epilepsy.

Nineteen mentally retarded inpatients with epilepsy and a history of current or recent aggressive behavior were treated with 20 mg of fluoxetine daily. All were concurrently taking other psychotropic medications, including carbamazepine and neuroleptics. A standardized rating scale (MOAS) was used to assess the effects of fluoxetine on aggressive behavior. There were wide individual differences in drug response. In nine patients, fluoxetine treatment was associated with increased aggression, while drug withdrawal led to a decrease to below pretreatment levels. Two hypotheses concerning the apparent association between fluoxetine and increased aggression are discussed: 1) adverse effects secondary to either drug interaction or fluoxetine overmedication; and 2) a specific serotonergically mediated effect on the regulation of aggression. This study suggests that the clinician who treats mentally retarded patients with impulsive aggressive behavior should remain aware that fluoxetine may have diverse effects on aggression that vary over time and interindividually.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Lack of potentiation of anticonvulsant effect by fluoxetine in drug-resistant epilepsy.

To test the hypothesis that fluoxetine may be a useful adjunct to antiepileptic therapy, we treated with fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) nine patients suffering from medically intractable epilepsy with daily seizures. Five patients remained unchanged and four worsened. Worsening was more evident at 40 mg/day. One patient improved when receiving the lower dose (20 mg/day) and worsened with the higher dose (40 mg/day). These data suggest: (1) that fluoxetine is not effective as add-on antiepileptic treatment; (2) that caution should be exerted when using fluoxetine as an antidepressive treatment in epileptic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Diffuse axonal injury with brainstem localisation: report of a case in a mild head injured patient.

The authors present the case of a 26-yrs-old woman admitted into our hospital after a severe polytrauma with a mild head injury. CT scanning disclosed two small hemorrhages located in her brainstem and mesial temporal lobe. After splenectomy the patient made a full recovery without neurological sequelae. Radiological signs of diffuse axonal injury even in the brainstem may be present in a clinically mild head injury.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1993

Chromatin changes in cell transformation: progressive unfolding of the higher-order structure during the evolution of rat hepatocyte nodules. A differential scanning calorimetry study.

Using differential scanning calorimetry and complementary ultrastructural observations, we have characterized the status of chromatin during the transformation of rat hepatocytes in the resistant hepatocyte model of Solt and Farber (1976. Nature (Lond.). 263:701-703). Differential scanning calorimetry affords a measure of the degree of condensation of chromatin in situ and has therefore been used in this work for the purpose of establishing the nature of the structural changes associated with the emergence of successive cellular populations. Since the resistant hepatocyte model generates a series of synchronous phenotypic changes, it was possible to determine unambiguously the content of heterochromatin at each step of the process. The higher-order structure undergoes a partial relaxation in early developing nodules, isolated 16 weeks after initiation; the thermal transition at 90 degrees C, which is characteristic of noninteracting core particles, increases with respect to control hepatocytes. Dramatic changes occur in persistent (46-week) nodules. The 90 degrees C endotherm dominates the thermogram, while the transition at 107 degrees C, corresponding to the denaturation of the core particle packaged within the heterochromatic domains, disappears. The complete loss of the higher-order structure at this stage of transformation has been further verified by ultrastructural observations on thin nuclear sections. Ten-nm filaments, having a beaded appearance, are scattered throughout the nucleoplasm and clearly result from the decondensation of 30-nm-thick fibers. This catastrophic relaxation process cannot be related to an effective increase in gene activity. Rather, our observations suggest that during transformation chromatin is in a state of high transcriptional competence associated with the alert of general cellular programs. This view is consistent with the finding that in persistent nodules the DNA is extensively hypomethylated with respect to normal liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Arachnoid cyst of middle cranial fossa and ipsilateral subdural haematoma: diagnostic and therapeutic implications in three cases.

We describe three cases of arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa with associated intracystic and subdural haematomas. In all of the patients the diagnosis was made before surgical treatment. No bleeding could be attributed to ruptured bridging veins. In two cases the source of bleeding was identified at the interface between the dura mater and the outer membrane at the temporal skull base. We suggest that, even if wide outer membrane membranectomy is probably not indicated, careful coagulation of the membrane at the skull base is necessary to avoid bleeding within the cyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Anticonvulsant effect of intranigral fluoxetine.

Bilateral focal injections of the serotonin uptake inhibitor, fluoxetine (1.75-7.0 nmol) into substantia nigra (SN) protected against convulsive seizures evoked by the focal injection of bicuculline methiodide into area tempestas, an epileptogenic site within the deep prepiriform cortex. Injection of fluoxetine unilaterally in SN or bilaterally into a site dorsal to SN was not anticonvulsant. Blockade of nigral gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors with bicuculline in SN did not reverse the anticonvulsant action of intranigral fluoxetine. These data suggest that serotonergic transmission in SN exerts a seizure suppressing action which is independent of GABA transmission in SN.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Two-step tumour targetting in ovarian cancer patients using biotinylated monoclonal antibodies and radioactive streptavidin.

A new method for intraperitoneal tumour targetting in ovarian cancer using biotinylated monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and radioactive streptavidin is described. Fifteen patients with histologically documented ovarian carcinoma were injected intraperitoneally with 2 mg of biotinylated MoAb MOv18, followed 3-5 days later by 100-150 micrograms of indium-111 streptavidin, at the specific activity of 280-370 MBq/mg in 500 ml of normal saline. No toxicity was observed. Tumours were imaged from 2 to 48 h after radioactivity injection by recording both planar and single photon emission tomography (SPET) data. All patients underwent surgery 1-8 days later (mean 3 days) after scanning. The resected tumour and normal tissue radioactivity were measured. On the day of surgery, the tumour to normal tissue ratio was 9:1 (range 3:1-30:1) and 45:1 (range 12:1-120:1) for intra- and extraperitoneal samples, respectively. The mean tumor to blood ratio was 14:1 (range 4:1-30:1). The injected dose (i.d.) per gram of tumour was 0.112 (range 0.01-0.3) for recurrences and 0.05 for primary tumour (range 0.005-0.2). Over 24-48 h 14% i.d. (range 8-18% i.d.) was found in the urine, 14% i.d. (range 6-29% i.d.) in the blood and 63% i.d. (range 56-70% i.d.) was still in the peritoneal cavity. These preliminary clinical data suggest that this two-step strategy may be superior to the conventional approach (radiolabelled antibodies) for intraperitoneal radioimmunolocalization and radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Thermodynamics of condensation of nuclear chromatin. A differential scanning calorimetry study of the salt-dependent structural transitions.

We present a detailed thermodynamic investigation of the conformational transitions of chromatin in calf thymus nuclei. Differential scanning calorimetry was used as the leading method, in combination with infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and techniques for the molecular characterization of chromatin components. The conformational transitions were induced by changes in the counterion concentration. In this way, it was possible to discriminate between the interactions responsible for the folding of the higher order structure and for the coiling of nucleosomal DNA. Our experiments confirm that the denaturation of nuclear chromatin at physiological ionic strength occurs at the level of discrete structural domains, the linker and the core particle, and we were able to rule out that the actual denaturation pattern might be determined by dissociation of the nucleohistone complex and successive migration of free histones toward native regions, as recently suggested. The sequence of the denaturation events is (1) the conformational change of the histone complement at 66 degrees C, (2) the unstacking of the linker DNA at 74 degrees C, and (3) the unstacking of the core particle DNA, that can be observed either at 90 or at 107 degrees C, depending on the degree of condensation of chromatin. Nuclear chromatin unfolds in low-salt buffers, and can be refolded by increasing the ionic strength, in accordance with the well-known behavior of short fragments. The process is athermal, therefore showing that the stability of the higher order structure depends on electrostatic interactions. The transition between the folded conformation and the unfolded one proceeds through an intermediate condensation state, revealed by an endotherm at 101 degrees C. The analysis of the thermodynamic parameters of denaturation of the polynucleosomal chain demonstrates that the wrapping of the DNA around the histone octamer involves a large energy change. The most striking observation concerns the linker segment, which melts a few degrees below the peak temperature of naked DNA. This finding is in line with previous thermal denaturation investigations on isolated chromatin at low ionic strength, and suggests that a progressive destabilization of the linker occurs in the course of the salt-induced coiling of DNA in the nucleosome.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

5-HT2 receptor antagonism in dysthymic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study with ritanserin.

Thirty patients suffering from dysthymic disorder participated in a 6-week double-blind trial comparing ritanserin 10 mg and placebo. After a single-blind placebo wash-out period of one week, the test medication was administered during 5 weeks on a double-blind basis. Twenty-three patients completed the study. At the end of the trial, ritanserin was significantly superior to placebo in its effect as manifested on the 19-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory X-1 and X-2. At the end of the study, the therapeutic effect was rated marked or moderate in 75% of the ritanserin-treated patients, but only in 18% of the controls. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of serotonin abnormalities in dysthymic disorder and suggest a therapeutic role of 5-HT2 antagonists. Ritanserin treatment was very well tolerated; no serious adverse experiences were reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Negative symptoms and visual behavior in DSM-III-R prognostic subtypes of schizophreniform disorder.

Eighteen male patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder were rated on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and their visual behavior during interview was recorded through an ethological technique. Affective flattening, alogia and the global severity of the negative-symptom syndrome were found to be more prominent among poor-prognosis patients. In addition, compared with patients with good prognostic features, poor-prognosis patients showed a pattern of visual behavior (less eye contact and more eye closures) suggesting poor rapport with the interviewer. The results demonstrate that cross-sectional phenomenology of patients with DSM-III-R schizophreniform disorder shows differences in important clinical domains, such as negative symptoms and capacity to establish and maintain social interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Radiologic and clinical aspects of osteoarticular amyloidosis caused by dialysis].

Many long-term (greater than 60 months) hemodialysis patients develop a severe osteoarticular disease, called "dialysis arthropathy", which is characterized by the deposition in bone and synovia of a new type of amyloid made mainly of beta 2-microglobulin. In the present study, 31 patients (17 males, 14 females; age 54.1 +/- 13 years), undergoing chronic hemodialysis for 60-125 months, were examined for dialysis arthropathy by means of clinics and of radiological investigations (conventional radiography and computed tomography). Sixteen patients (51.6%) had radiographic evidence of dialysis arthropathy: geodes (shoulders, 12 cases; wrists, 11; hips, 2; knees, 2) and/or destructive arthropathies (cervical spine, 13 cases, dorsolumbar spine, 2; hands, 2; hips, 1). Within 24 months, these lesions were found to progress slowly in the majority of cases. In the diagnostic process, CT should be employed in the study of spine, shoulders and hips when the lesions have not been sufficiently demonstrated by conventional radiography in the presence of evident clinical signs. Patients with dialysis arthropathy had undergone dialysis for longer periods than those without it (p less than 0.005) and showed a significantly higher incidence of both carpal tunnel syndrome (p less than 0.0005) and shoulder pain (p less than 0.005). Our findings confirm the high incidence and clinical importance of dialysis arthropathy in long-term hemodialysis patients and the value of diagnostic imaging in screening such patients for those lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in pathological stage I].

We report on 49 patients with pathologic stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma who underwent postoperative whole-pelvis irradiation (RT) (45-50 Gy in 5-6 weeks) from November 1981 to December 1988. RT was performed when one or more of the following unfavorable prognostic factors were discovered: myometrial infiltration greater than 1/3 (42 cases, or 85.7%), poorly-differentiated tumor (10, or 20.4%), tubaric angles involvement (4; or 8.2%), pelvic nodal metastases (1, or 2.0%). Five-year actuarial disease-free survival was 91.4%. After an average follow-up of 58 months, we observed recurrent disease in 4 patients (8.2%) (3 cases with distant metastases, 6.1%; 1 case with vaginal relapse, 2.0%). All recurrences were observed within 18 months from treatment and occurred only in patients with both myometrial infiltration greater than 1/3 and poorly or moderately differentiated tumor. The patient with vaginal relapse had a complete response after endocavitary curietherapy, but died later on from lung metastases. None of the treated patients experienced severe complications related to the treatment. Our results are comparable with those of the most recent literature, and confirm the good tolerance and efficacy of postoperative RT to prevent loco-regional relapses in early stage endometrial cancer with unfavorable prognostic factors.

Adenocarcinoma↗