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Biomedical subjects

A Spadaro

Publications and source records attributed to A Spadaro.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

SEM evaluation of endothelial changes following end-to-side microvascular anastomoses in rats.

A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study was carried out to evaluate the endothelial changes in carotid end-to-side microsurgical anastomoses. This procedure, associated with occlusion of the brachiocephalic trunk, was performed in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were sacrificed at time intervals ranging between 15 minutes and 14 days after surgery. The specimens were collected after perfusion-fixation in vivo and treated for SEM observations. The findings show that the first 45 minutes are the most critical time for thrombus formation. Reendothelialization could be detected at 3 days after the microsurgical procedure. Endothelial regeneration occurred earlier on the suture line than on the stitches, documented by the migration and morphological changes of the endothelial cells advancing from the normal endothelium to cover the defect and the suture material. The repair was usually completed within 14 days. Damage of the inner vascular wall, related to minor failures of the microsurgical technique, appears to be a cause of delayed reendothelialization.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Ultrastructural data and chronobiological patterns of the synaptic ribbons in the outer plexiform layer in the retina of albino rats.

Synaptic ribbons of the outer plexiform layer in the retina of albino rats are examined, with particular regard to their ultrastructure and to their chronobiological behaviour. As to the ultrastructure, aside from the typical lamellar and granular morphology, synaptic ribbons, whose central bar is roundish and granular, delaminate or furnished with enlarged extremities, are shown. As to the chronobiological pattern, synaptic ribbons undergo to circadian changes in their absolute number, being particularly numerous during the light phase, and few during darkness. It is also considered the morphology (ratio between granular and lamellar) and the size (long, intermediate and short) during the 24-hour cycle; in both cases, diphasic curves are observed. On the basis of these results, in the junction photoreceptors-bipolar cells, synaptic ribbons are polymorphic, dynamic structures, whose number and morphology strictly depend on environmental light conditions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in patients with chronic liver disease and its relationship to HBV and HDV infections.

The prevalence of anti-HCV, anti-HDV and of HBV markers has been investigated in a series of 209 consecutive patients (age 18-74 years) with chronic liver disease. Among 155 HBsAg negative patients (53 chronic hepatitis cases and 102 cirrhosis cases), anti-HCV were found in 69% of the cases. 67% of the 155 patients also carried anti-HBc, with no difference between patients positive or negative for anti-HCV. Among the 54 HBsAg positive patients, 10 (18.5%) also had anti-HCV, 22 (40.7%) were anti-HDV positive and 12 (22.2%) had serum HBV-DNA. One patient had concomitant anti-HDV and anti-HCV and another presented anti-HCV and serum HBV-DNA. 21/54 patients had liver cirrhosis on presentation and among these 17 (81%) were anti-HCV and/or anti-HDV positive. On the whole, 123/209 patients had liver cirrhosis on presentation and in 107 of them HCV infection may have played a role.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

4-quinazolinones: synthesis and reduction of prostaglandin E2 production.

We synthesized and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a series of 4-quinazolinone derivatives. Two approaches were used to yield the title compounds. A first group of quinazolinone derivatives was obtained by the appropriate substituted anthranilates. A second group of quinazolinone compounds was prepared through the benzoxazin-4-ones intermediate. The pharmacological results reveal that the synthesized derivatives exhibit a significant anti-inflammatory effect in an experimental ocular inflammation model. In fact, all the tested compounds lowered the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production with respect to the control group (P < 0.05). The 3-cyclohexyl-6-chloro-quinazolin-4(3H)-one and 3-cyclohexyl-quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives were the most active compounds. These compounds significantly reduced PGE2 levels even more than the reference drug tolmetin and significantly lower protein concentration and polymorphonuclear leukocytes number compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Therefore, these compounds may be useful to prevent ocular inflammatory reactions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of interleukin-12 in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases].

OBJECTIVE: IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by different antigen presenting cells. It has been shown to exert a critical role in inducing Th1 phenotype, thus initiating cell-mediated immune responses, but the significance of IL-12 in rheumatic diseases is not clear. Aim of the study was to determine IL-12 serum levels in immune rheumatic diseases and to analyse the relationship of this cytokine with main clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: We analysed, by ELISA, serum IL-12 levels in 114 patients with SLE, 47 with SS, 32 with SSc, 84 with RA, 138 with PA and in 17 healthy controls. We also examined main clinical and laboratory parameters, including autoantibody profile and clinical indices of disease activity. RESULTS: IL-12 serum levels were significantly higher in SLE and SS patients respect to controls. IL-12 serum levels were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to those affected by RA, PA and SSc. When we evaluated disease activity in SLE patients, we found significantly higher IL-12 serum levels in subjects with fever or in those without renal involvement, while no correlation was found in the other rheumatic immune diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that IL-12, modulating cell and humoral immune responses, is involved in the pathogenesis of immune rheumatic diseases, such as SLE and SS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in inflammatory and degenerative arthropathies].

Recent studies identified tissue transglutaminase (tTG) as the antigen eliciting antiendomysial antibodies (EMA) in celiac disease (CD). Anti-tTG antibodies have therefore been proposed as a serological test for CD. Nevertheless, IgA anti-tTG but not EMA have also been found in inflammatory bowel disease patients, suggesting that these antibodies are linked to a tissue lesion rather than to an auto-immune component of CD. To confirm this hypothesis, we evaluated the presence of IgA anti-tTG in patients with inflammatory and degenerative diseases, in whom tissue lesions presented far away from the intestinal mucosa. The study was carried out on the serum and synovial fluid (SF) of 68 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA=33), psoriatic arthritis (PsA=26) and osteoarthritis (OA=9). In RA, PsA and OA sera, IgA anti-tTG were positive in 33%, 42% and 11% of patients, respectively. Serum anti-tTG levels were significantly higher in RA (p<0.0001), PsA (p<0.0001) and OA (p<0.02) with respect to healthy controls. SF anti-tTG levels were significantly higher in PsA (p<0.018) than in OA. A good correlation between serum and synovial fluid anti-tTG levels was found in all arthropathies This study suggests that tTG is not the only antigen of EMA and, furthermore, that IgA anti-tTG antibodies represent a general lesion-associated event. Moreover, the significant correlation between serum and synovial fluid anti-tTG levels allow us to hypothesise that these antibodies could be synthesized in the site of arthritic lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role for familial and genetic features in the therapeutic response of psoriatic arthritis].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze PsA patients with and without a familiar distribution for Ps and PsA, in order to better evaluate the genetic data, to verify the existence of different expression of the disease and finally to define the susceptibility to treatment in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 230 PsA patients were selected for familiar or sporadic distribution of the disease and were evaluated for the main clinical, demographic, radiological and laboratory features, as well as for the ongoing treatments. In each patient HLA class I (A,B,C) and II (DRB1, DQB1) antigens were typed with PCR-SSP method while MICA-A exon 5 microsatellite typing was performed by heteroduplex analysis in 122 subjects. RESULTS: A familiar distribution for Ps and PsA was found in 68 patients (29.6%) although only two patients had familiarity for PsA. In the familiar PsA group the male prevalence was significantly higher respect to the sporadic one (p<0.001) and the more frequently involved relative was the father (28%). Mean age (p<0.006) and age at onset of Ps (p<0.004) and PsA (p<0.014) were significantly lower in familiar respect to sporadic PsA. Between the two groups no difference was found concerning the articular involvement, the radiological findings, the disease activity (including number of painful/swollen joints), the inflammatory laboratory parameters (including ESR and CRP) and genetic aspects, including the frequencies of MICA-A alleles that were analysed in 30 patients with the familiar form and in 92 with the sporadic one. In the follow-up the therapeutic response to any evaluated treatment adopted for PsA did not show any significant difference in the two groups. All these results were confirmed even when the patients in the two groups were matchable for sex, age and disease duration. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that familiar PsA is characterized by an early onset of the disease and by a male and fatherly predominance respect to the sporadic form, although the clinical-radiologic findings, the genetic typing and the therapeutic response do not permit us to identify any particular subset.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Italian consensus on Eular 2003 recommendations for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

The recommendations for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee firstly proposed by the EULAR in 2000, have been updated in 2003. One of the most important objectives of the expert charged to provide these recommendations was their dissemination. Thus, the information generated may be used by each individual country to produce their own set of management guidelines and algorithms for treatment in primary care. The Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) and the Italian League against Rheumatism (LIMAR) have organised a Consensus on the EULAR recommendations 2003 with the aim to analyse their acceptability and applicability according to our own experience and local situations in the Italy. The results of this Consensus have demonstrated that a large majority of the EULAR recommendations are endorsed by the Italian experts. Furthermore, the final document of the Italian Consensus clearly indicated the need that specialists involved in the management of knee OA strongly encourage the dissemination of the EULAR 2003 recommendations also in Italy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Usefulness of anti-cyclic citrullinate peptide antibody determination in synovial fluid analysis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody detection in synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients compared to OA patients. METHODS: We evaluated in 25 RA subjects and 14 OA patients, presenting a knee-joint effusion, the main clinical and laboratory parameters including the number of painful and/or swollen joints, Ritchie index, morning stiffness, ESR, CRP and analysis of SF obtained by therapeutic arthrocentesis. IgG anti-CCP (ELISA), rheumatoid factor (RF) and total IgG (nephelometry method) were measured in SF and paired serum samples. RESULTS: We found anti-CCP antibodies and RF in 64% (16/25) and 60% (15/25) of RA sera, respectively; 72% (18/25) of RA patients were positive for anti-CCP antibodies or RF. We found a higher SF/serum ratio for anti-CCP (p<0.004) compared to that for total IgG. The calculation of anti-CCP concentration as IgG anti-CCP (units)/total IgG (g L-1) revealed higher values in SF than in serum (p<0.046) in RA patients. Among these, correlation analysis showed that anti-CCP/total IgG values in SF correlated with the relative concentration of serum anti-CCP/total IgG (rs=0.842; p<0.00001) and serum anti-CCP antibody levels (rs=0.799; p<0.0001). We did not find any correlation between SF anti-CCP levels and the main characteristics of SF as well as the clinical or laboratory parameters. CONCLUSION: Our study give evidence for a preferential production of anti-CCP antibodies at RA joint level, confirming the pathogenetic role of these autoantibodies. Moreover, SF determination of anti-CCP, corrected for the total amount of the corresponding immunoglobulin, may be helpful as diagnostic tool in selected cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: short term prospective study in patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha drugs].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of occupational therapy (OT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha drugs in a short-term open controlled prospective study. METHODS: 31 RA subjects [(M/F=5/26; mean age= 56 (range=28-73) years; mean disease duration= 165 (range =15-432) months], treated with anti- TNF-alpha drugs, were allocated to OT (n=15) or control (n=16) group. We evaluated at entry and 12 weeks the following outcome parameters including Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Global Health (GH), Ritchie index, number of swollen or tender joints, pain, patient and physician disease activity, Disease Activity Score (DAS28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein CRP) and the correct adherence to items regarding activity daily living (ADL). RESULTS: At baseline, OT and control group had similar demographic and clinical features. After 12 weeks, the changes from baseline of main outcome parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. After 12 weeks, in 7 out of 11 items regarding ADL, the percentage of patients showing a correct adherence was significantly increased in OT group only. Moreover at the end of the study, the OT group showed a correct adherence to 8 out of 11 ADL items in an higher percentage of patients respect to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our study sustains that OT improves self-management but not main parameters of disease activity or functional capacity. Nevertheless educational intervention should be considered as a useful tool in conjunction with pharmacological treatment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Italian consensus on EULAR recommendations 2005 for the management of hip osteoarthritis].

The recommendations for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip were proposed by EULAR in 2005. Among the most important objectives of the expert charged to provide these recommendations were their wide dissemination and implementation. Thus, the information generated can be used by each individual country to produce their own set of management guidelines and algorithms for treatment in primary care. According with that previously executed for the EU-LAR recommendation 2003 for the knee, the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) has organised a Consensus on the EULAR recommendations 2005 for the management of hip OA. To obtain an acceptability as large as possible, the group of experts was composed by many physicians interested in the management of hip OA, including Orthopaedics, Rheumatologists, Physiatrists, and General Practitioners. Main aim of the Consensus was to analyse the acceptability and applicability of the recommendations according to own experience and local situations in the Italy. The results of this Consensus have demonstrated that a large majority of the EULAR recommendations are endorsed by the Italian experts. Furthermore, the final document of the Italian Consensus clearly indicated the need that the specialists involved in the management of hip OA strongly encourage the dissemination of the EULAR 2005 recommendations also in Italy.

European Union↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ten year follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The impact of the treatment with interferon (IFN) on the natural history of chronic hepatitis C is not defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effect of the treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY: In 31 patients with chronic hepatitis C (9 with cirrhosis) consecutively treated with recombinant alpha 2a interferon (r alpha 2a IFN), the evolution of the disease at 10 years from the therapy was evaluated by means of upper endoscopy, liver ultrasonography (US), liver function tests and hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia. RESULTS: Among 10/31 patients previously classified as responders, only 1 has signs of evolution to cirrhosis; HCV-RNA is still present in 2. Among 21 non-responder patients, 5 developed hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and 4 died during the follow-up; HCV-RNA is present in all the patients still alive. The 6 patients already cirrhotic when treated have clinical signs of progression to Child class B and C. The biochemical, ultrasonographical and endoscopical evaluation shows onset of cirrhosis in 7 of the others. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C who respond to treatment with interferon have good outcome and rare evolution to cirrhosis. The treatment does not seem to influence the natural history of the disease in non-responders.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interferon retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. A long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We retrospectively evaluated the long-term efficacy of interferon retreatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C, who did not have a sustained response to a 1st cycle of treatment. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-six patients, 43 non-responder and 23 relapser to alpha interferon treatment, were retreated with alpha interferon, 6 MU thrice weekly for 12 months. Response was defined as negative HCV viremia. Responders underwent long-term follow-up (27-43 months). RESULTS: The response rates were 14% and 35% at the end of retreatment, 7% and 22% at 6 months, and 2% and 13% at long-term follow-up in non-responders and relapsers respectively. The outcome of retreatment was not statistically influenced by age, cirrhosis, viral genotype, dose and duration of previous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon retreatment, for sustained viral eradication, is not effective in non-responders and useful in few relapsers. Whereas, retreatment could prove effective in slowing down the activity of the disease and reducing the incidence of hepatocarcinoma, since some relapses occur late during the follow-up. Therefore, retreatment should be confined to relapsers with contraindications to new more efficient therapeutic strategies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of two microemulsion of cyclosporine A in healthy volunteers.

This study evaluated the bioequivalence of a new Cyclosporine A microemulsion formulation in comparison to the reference market standard. Twenty-four adult healthy volunteers were randomised to receive the two Cyclosporin A microemulsion formulations, at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, according to a cross-over design. Blood samples were taken before drug administration and at 12 points within 24 hours. Cyclosporine A whole blood concentrations were determined by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC0-t and AUC0-infinity were calculated by the trapezoidal rule, Cmax and Tmax were obtained directly from blood data. AUCs and Cmax were tested for bioequivalence after log transformation of data, differences for Tmax were evaluated by the rank test of Wilcoxon for paired data. The 90% confidence interval ratio between tested/reference drug was 0.98 for AUC0-t, 0.96 for AUC0-infinity and 1.01 for Cmax. All of them were within the range of bioequivalence. Tmax was 1.60 +/- 0.44 hours after test drug and 1.67 +/- 0.48 after reference drug (p = 0.27, Wilcoxon test). According to these results the two Cyclosporine A microemulsion formulations can be considered bioequivalent.

Adult↗