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Biomedical subjects

A Pugliese

Publications and source records attributed to A Pugliese.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 fibronectin receptor on T lymphocytes of patients with HIV-1 infection.

AIMS: To evaluate the expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin fibronectin receptor (FNR), which mediates several processes, including phagocytosis, cell motility and the immune response, on T lymphocytes of patients with HIV-1 infection. METHODS: T lymphocytes were incubated with monoclonal antibody directed against FNR and then with monoclonal antibodies, conjugated with phycoerythrin, directed against CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive cells. Expression of FNR on CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive cells was analysed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Normal expression of FNR was observed on CD3 positive cells from asymptomatic HIV positive patients and those with AIDS. Increased expression of FNR was observed on CD8 positive cells from asymptomatic HIV positive patients and on CD4 positive cells from patients with AIDS. Increased FNR expression was observed on CD4 positive cells from patients with AIDS, particularly those with opportunistic infections caused by Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium sp, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptococcus neoformans. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of FNR on CD8 and CD4 positive cells in asymptomatic HIV positive patients and those with AIDS, respectively, may be an epiphenomenon correlated with lymphocyte activation by HIV-1 or opportunistic infection, Further study is required to determine whether upregulation of FNR expression has a direct role in the pathogenesis of AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

In vitro inhibitory activity of citreoviridin against HIV-1 and an HIV-associated opportunist: Candida albicans.

Citreoviridin, a mycotoxin produced by some molds of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, inhibits the growth of bacteria of the Bacillus genus. Since significant information was not available on the effects of citreoviridin on eukaryotic cells and viruses, this molecule was tested on CD4+ T-lymphoid cell lines, on HIV-1 and on Candida albicans, which sometimes complicates HIV-infection. Antiviral activity was detected in H9 HTLV IIIB cells, a clone chronically infected by HIV-1. Citreoviridin reduced p24 in the supernatant of H9 HTLV IIIB in a dose-dependent manner with a pharmacological selectivity index of 2.6. In C. albicans, the effects of the mold-derivative were evaluated on some parameters associated with pathogenicity and virulence: cellular proliferation, germ tube production, expression of heat shock mannoproteins, release of proteases and phospholipases. At a 12.5 microM dose, citreoviridin showed a marked inhibitory effect on all parameters analyzed. As regards the mechanism of action, it is possible to hypothesize that the effects of citreoviridin may be due to a reduction of protein synthesis, since it inhibited the replication of HIV-1 at post-integrational stages and reduced the intracellular RNA and protein content in C. albicans.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Pathogen coexistence induced by density-dependent host mortality.

A model of two competing infectious diseases with complete cross-protection sharing one host allows for coexistence, provided that the host population is subject to strong density regulation. The phenomenon is caused by the different ways in which host density affects transmission rate and transmission period. The analysis suggest that disease coexistence is most likely when the two diseases differ significantly in virulence and transmission and that the evolutionary stability of the two-disease association depends critically on details in the functional relationship between virulence and transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of Aspergillus terreus extract on herpes simplex 1 virus replication.

In this study we reported about the antiviral activity of Aspergillus terreus alcohol extract against Herpes simplex type 1 virus. This activity is dose-dependent, is related to the concentration of the challenging virus and depends particularly on a proteic fraction of 5-10 Kda. Optimal effects were observed with doses ranging from 25 to 6.25 micrograms/ml for crude alcohol extract and up to 3 micrograms/ml for 5-10 Kda fraction. Moreover, antiviral activity was evident in viral replication, but not on virus out of the cells. An increased 3H thymidine incorporation was noted on infected cells treated with the extract and this effect may suggest an intracellular accumulation of viral DNA in the absence or reduction of virion production.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1995

HLA-DQB1*0602 is associated with dominant protection from diabetes even among islet cell antibody-positive first-degree relatives of patients with IDDM.

HLA-DQB1 alleles confer susceptibility and resistance to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We investigated whether the susceptibility alleles DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0201 affect progression to diabetes among islet cell antibody-positive (ICA+) first-degree relatives of IDDM patients and whether the protective allele DQB1*0602 can be found and is still protective among such relatives. We human leukocyte antigen-typed and periodically tested beta-cell function (first-phase insulin release [FPIR] during the intravenous glucose tolerance test) in 72 ICA+ relatives, of whom 30 became diabetic on follow-up (longest follow-up 12 years); 54 (75%) relatives carried DQB1*0302 and/or DQB1*0201. The frequency of DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0201 and of the high-risk genotype DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 did not differ significantly between diabetic relatives and those remaining nondiabetic. On follow-up, progression to IDDM was not statistically different for relatives with or without the DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 genotype. However, those relatives with the DQB1*0302/DQB1*0201 genotype had a tendency to develop diabetes at an earlier age (log-rank P = 0.02). We found DQB1*0602 in 8 of 72 (11.1%) ICA+ relatives. Relatives with DQB1*0602 did not develop diabetes or show any decline of FPIR versus 28 of 64 DQB1*0602- relatives who developed IDDM (log-rank P = 0.006; Wilcoxon's P = 0.02). The protective allele DQB1*0602 is found in ICA+ relatives who have minimal risk of progression to IDDM. Therefore, DQB1*0602 is associated with protection from IDDM both in population studies and among relatives with evidence of autoimmunity who should not enter prevention trials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The validity of the certification of natimortality: the experience of a local study].

Although several study confirmed the inaccuracy of information in death certificates, very few investigations were performed to assess the validity of stillbirth certificate reporting. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the extent to which the clinical diagnosis of stillbirth cause reported in certificates can be considered sensitive and specific. Eighty-five consecutive stillbirths were independently classified by two neonatologists with certificate information, using the new Wigglesworth classification, and the reliability of the classification process was evaluated. Afterwards we compared the classes made with certificate causes and the ones made with clinical-autoptic data (the "gold standard") and we estimated sensitivity and specificity of certificate cause of stillbirth. The reliability of the classification process was very high. Values of sensitivity were considered unacceptable, mainly in the field of congenital malformations, intra-partum asphyxia and other specific causes. By contrast, specificity was found to be satisfactory. The accuracy of clinical stillbirth diagnosis is not sufficient and good description needs the contribute of post-mortem necropsy.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1994

The paternally inherited insulin gene B allele (1,428 FokI site) confers protection from insulin-dependent diabetes in families.

Several polymorphisms of the insulin gene and its flanking regions (INS region) are in linkage disequilibrium and confer susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM). We have analysed INS AA and AB-BB genotypes at the 1,428 FokI site (3' of the insulin gene) in 217 patients with IDDM, 402 non-diabetic first degree relatives negative for insulin (IAA) and islet cell autoantibodies (ICA), and 116 autoantibody positive (for ICA or IAA, or both) relatives of whom 39 became diabetic on follow-up. Most IDDM patients (83.4%, 181/217) had the AA genotype vs. 50% (25/50) of the controls (P < 10(-6)). Only 16.6% (36/217) of IDDM patients carried the AB genotype and none was BB homozygous, suggesting a protective effect of the B allele. By segregation analysis of the B allele in the IDDM offspring of informative families (only one AB parent) from the United States, the maternal B allele was inherited by 19/35 (54.2%) of the IDDM offspring. In contrast, only 4/26 (15.3%) of the IDDM offspring inherited the paternal B allele (P = 0.001), suggesting maternal imprinting of the INS region. Therefore, the INS B allele may be protective only when paternally inherited. Among the 39 of 116 autoantibody positive relatives who developed IDDM on follow-up, only five of them had the B allele. The frequency of the B allele in this group was much lower (12.8%, 5/39) than that observed in non-diabetic autoantibody positive relatives (32.5%, 25/77, P = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of Aspergillus terreus extract on neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell replication.

There are very few and unconfirmed data regarding the antineoplastic activity of mycotic derivates in human cells. The effects on neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell replication of Aspergillus terreus extracts have been tested. In fact, among different species of Aspergillus mycotoxin producers. A terreus seems to be more suitable for hypothetical therapeutic purposes because of its low mycotoxin toxicity. Very evident antiblastic activity of alcoholic crude extract of A. terreus on tumor cells has been demonstrated. Doses between 3.1 and 6.2 inhibited more than 50% of tumor cells; the same effect was obtained with doses > 25 micrograms/ml on non-neoplastic cells. The action of the crude extract does not influence cellular cAMP in either neoplastic or non-neoplastic cells. The antiblastic action seems to depend primarily on the inhibitory effect of DNA duplication. Some chromatographed fractions of the mycotic extract showed inhibiting or enhancing effects on cell growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Interaction of human plasma fibronectin with viral proteins of human immunodeficiency virus.

Fibronectin (FN) is present in soluble and matrix forms in various body fluids and tissues, and has been shown to bind to several pathogens, including viruses. The interaction of FN with viral proteins of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) was investigated by immunofluorescence technique using a cell line chronically infected with HIV-1 (H9-V). The results of this study showed that FN binds to HIV-1 infected cells, especially at FN concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. In addition, FN-pentapeptide has shown the ability to bind to HIV-1 infected cells. On the other hand, preincubation with antibodies against FN abolished the binding of FN to HIV-1 infected cells. Finally, FN has shown to bind to HIV-1 glycoproteins, including gp41 and gp120. In contrast, no binding to HIV-1 core proteins, including p15 and p24, was noted. We suggest that FN, in binding HIV-1 particles, may reduce viremia and thus may be involved in the clearance of viral proteins from the cells.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1994

Levels of circulating fibronectin receptor in adult and pediatric patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

We found a significant increase in fibronectin receptor (FNR) levels in the sera of adult human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients, especially in those with AIDS (1,026.9 +/- 583.9 ng/ml; P < 0.0001). In contrast, AIDS patients with neurologic disorders and HIV-1-seropositive patients showed normal levels of FNR in serum. In addition, HIV-1-infected children showed increased levels of FNR in serum (824.4 +/- 333.5 ng/ml; P = 0.03). We suggest that an increase of FNR levels in AIDS patients is related to enhanced expression of FNR on HIV-1-infected cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Two subsets of HLA-DQA1 alleles mark phenotypic variation in levels of insulin autoantibodies in first degree relatives at risk for insulin-dependent diabetes.

Levels of insulin autoantibodies (IAA) vary among different first degree relatives of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, suggesting genetic regulation. We previously reported elevated IAA among DR4-positive at risk relatives. In this study, 72/82 at risk relatives were IAA positive, of whom 75% (54/72) carried DR4 versus 20% (2/10) of IAA-negative relatives (P = 0.0004). However, 69% (18/26) of DR4-negative relatives were IAA positive. Since DR4 did not account for all IAA positivity, we analyzed DQA1 and DQB1 alleles. Homozygosity for DQA1 alleles deriving from the evolutionary lineage 4 (*0401, *0501, *0601) was associated with low IAA levels, while lineage 1-3 alleles (*0101, *0102, *0103, *0201, *0301) correlated with higher levels. Most (93%, 65/70) relatives with lineage 1-3 alleles were IAA positive (mean = 360 +/- 63 SEM nU/ml). Only 7/12 relatives homozygous for lineage 4 alleles were IAA-positive, with lower levels than relatives with lineage 1-3 alleles (mean = 55 +/- 15 SEM nU/ml, P < 0.0001; 7/12 vs 65/70, P = 0.004). The amino acid sequences of lineage 1-3 alleles uniquely share glutamic acid (E) and phenylalanine (F) at positions 40 and 51 (EF alleles). Lineage 4 alleles have glycine (G) and leucine (L) at those positions (GL alleles). 90% (65/72) of IAA-positive relatives had an EF allele, while only 75% (54/72) had DR4 (P = 0.01). Homozygosity for GL alleles (often DQA1 *0501 on DR3 haplotypes) correlated with little or no humoral response to insulin. Thus, HLA-DQB1 GL alleles, or other genes on haplotypes (e.g., DR3) that carry these DQA1 alleles, may confer recessive low responsiveness to insulin.

Alleles↗