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C Betterle

Publications and source records attributed to C Betterle.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Immunohistochemical localization of factor X-like antigen in pancreatic islets and their tumours.

The authors have investigated by immunohistochemistry the distribution of factor X-like antigen in normal pancreatic islets and in a series of 46 pancreatic endocrine tumours. It was found that both glucagon-producing (A) cells and pancreatic polypeptide-producing (PP) cells are immunoreactive for the antigen. Benign glucagonomas and PP-omas presented the highest concentrations of immunoreactive material whose intracellular distribution was consistent with localization within cell secretory granules. Some benign insulinomas also presented factor X immunostaining in spite of the absence of the antigen in normal insulin-producing B cells. Although malignant tumours usually exhibited very low or no immunostaining, two of three malignant glucagonomas showed scattered, intensely immunoreactive cells. The factor X-like antigen identified in this study was found to differ from chromogranin A and B. The possible implications of the present findings for coagulative disorders associated with glucagonomas or diabetes are discussed.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1988

Long term thyroid function after subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Between 1973 and 1980, 93 patients with Graves' disease underwent subtotal thyroidectomy by the same surgeon (the size of thyroid remnant was 4 g per side). No case of operative mortality, no case of thyroid storm nor of surgical complications occurred. Three months after surgery 40% of patients were euthyroid, 25% had overt hypothyroidism, 35% had subclinical hypothyroidism. In the following yr important variations of thyroid function were observed. The number of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism decreased slowly (22% and 9% at 3 and 6 yr, respectively), and some became euthyroid, some hypothyroid, others relapsed. Seven patients had recurrent hyperthyroidism. In particular at 3 yr 45% of patients were euthyroid, 28% had overt hypothyroidism, 22% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 4% had recurrence; at 6 yr 56% were euthyroid, 32% had overt hypothyroidism, 9% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 3% had recurrence. Four out of the 8 patients operated under 20-yr-old became hypothyroid in comparison with only 2 out of the 15 patients over 50-yr-old. Relapses were present only in patients operated at less than 40-yr and only in females. No correlation was found between thyroid lymphocytic infiltration and thyroid function after surgery, nor between the presence of antithyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism. All cases who relapsed had high TMA titers both before and after operation. This study confirms the need for accurate follow-up after subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The natural history of adrenal function in autoimmune patients with adrenal autoantibodies.

Adrenal autoantibodies (AA) were found in 23 of 2571 (0.9%) patients with organ-specific autoimmune diseases, in one of 632 first-degree relatives of insulin-dependent diabetic patients, and in none of 375 normal controls. In AA-positive subjects the prevalence of human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-A1, -B8 and -DR3 was significantly higher with respect to the general population. Two groups were followed (15 subjects persistently positive for AA and 51 negative subjects) for a mean period of 3.2 years. Yearly tests were made for AA and adrenal function. Of the 15 subjects persistently positive for AA, six developed Addison's disease after a period varying from 6 months to 10 years. Of the 51 subjects initially negative, two became positive during follow-up, and one of these developed Addison's disease 15 months later. In contrast, all the remaining 49 persistently negative subjects maintained normal adrenal function tests. Overall, of the 17 positive subjects, seven (41%) developed Addison's disease, three (18%) showed various degrees of subclinical adrenocortical failure and the remaining seven maintained normal glandular function. In the positive patients the yearly incidence of detriment in adrenal function was 19%. Patients who developed Addison's disease showed significant association with HLA-B8 phenotype. The development from normal adrenocortical function to overt Addison's disease seemed to progress through four distinct stages of functional impairment: increased plasma renin activity with normal/low aldosterone (stage 1), low cortisol response after i.v. administration of ACTH (stage 2), increased ACTH (stage 3), and low basal cortisol (stage 4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Complement-fixing gastric parietal cell autoantibodies. A good marker for the identification of type A chronic atrophic gastritis.

Using an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique, gastric parietal cell autoantibodies of IgG class (GPCA-IgG) were found in 2% of a normal population, in 5-26% of organ-specific autoimmune subjects and in 100% of patients with pernicious anaemia. With the exception of subjects with alopecia, there was a significantly increased prevalence of GPCA-IgG in autoimmune patients with respect to normal controls. GPCA of IgA class were detected in 22% of GPCA-IgG positive subjects, whereas GPCA of IgM class were uncommon. One-hundred and fifteen subjects underwent gastroscopy and body mucosal biopsy. Histopathological findings of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) were present in 71% of GPCA-IgG positive autoimmune patients without pernicious anaemia, in 100% of GPCA-IgG positive patients with pernicious anaemia, and in 20% of GPCA negative autoimmune patients. Complement-fixation test was performed in 46 GPCA-IgG positive subjects without pernicious anaemia using the IIF method. Twenty-nine patients (63%) were found to fix complement fractions till C9 (CF-GPCA) together with properdin factor, and in 25 of them (86%) the histological examination of body gastric mucosa disclosed a CAG (P = 0.0003 versus GPCA-IgG positive/CF negative controls). No significant difference was observed for the prevalence of CAG in GPCA-IgG positive/CF negative subjects with respect to GPCA-IgG negative control group. We conclude that the presence of CF-GPCA represents a useful immunological marker in the identification of CAG, while no predictive value seems to be associated with non-complement fixing GPCA-IgG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Islet cell and insulin autoantibodies in organ-specific autoimmune patients. Their behaviour and predictive value for the development of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. A 10-year follow-up study.

To evaluate the behaviour and predictive value of islet cell and insulin autoantibodies in patients with organ-specific autoimmune diseases, we followed 21 non-diabetic subjects for a mean period of 84 +/- 27 months. Ten patients were persistently seropositive for complement-fixing islet cell antibodies and high titres of immunoglobulin G islet cell antibodies (greater than or equal to 1:8). The prevalence of persistent insulin autoantibodies in this group was 67%. Seven patients (70%) developed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus after a latency period of 2-60 months. The predictive value of complement-fixing islet cell antibodies was 65%, and in the presence of both complement-fixing islet cell and insulin autoantibodies the predictive value rose to 76%. Eleven patients were seronegative for complement-fixing islet cell antibodies and had low immunoglobulin G islet cell antibodies titres (less than 1:8) that were either persistent or transient, or that fluctuated during follow-up. The prevalence of persistent insulin autoantibodies in this group was 45%; only one subject developed Type 1 diabetes. The predictive value of persistent islet cell antibodies (complement-fixing positive/negative) was 54%, and it rose to 70% when both islet cell and insulin autoantibodies were present. Individuals with only insulin autoantibodies or immunoglobulin G islet cell antibodies did not develop diabetes mellitus. A high frequency of HLA-DR3 and/or DR4 was found in patients who developed diabetes mellitus. Thus, the presence of both islet cell and insulin autoantibodies in patients with organ-specific autoimmune disease appears to confer the highest risk of progression toward Type 1 diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Thyroid autoantibodies: a good marker for the study of symptomless autoimmune thyroiditis.

In 3737 subjects without clinically thyroid disorders we evaluated the incidence of thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies. These autoantibodies were found in 7% of a normal population, in 9% of patients with various non-autoimmune diseases, and in 11-16% of groups who either had or were at risk for autoimmune diseases: patients with IDDM, vitiligo, alopecia areata, idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, and first-degree relatives of IDDM patients. Functional thyroid evaluation with TRH test was performed in 197 seropositive subjects and 144 seronegative controls. One-quarter (26%) of the subjects with thyroid autoantibodies showed functional abnormalities on TRH testing, whereas only 2.8% of the 144 seronegative controls showed subclinical hypothyroidism. After an observation period of 12-44 months, 102 persistently seropositive subjects were reassessed and 31% of them showed an impairment in TRH test response.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Detection of insulin autoantibodies using an ELISA technique in first-degree relatives of IDDM patients and in autoimmune patients.

We have improved an ELISA technique for the detection of IgG and IgM class IAA demonstrating the sensitivity and the specificity of antigen-antibody reaction. In sera of 135 first degree relatives of IDDM patients and of 128 autoimmune patients "at risk" for IDDM either positive or negative for islet cell antibodies (ICA), the prevalence of IAA IgG/IgM in all groups studied was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than in controls, but the highest frequency of IAA was observed in the ICA-positive subjects. A similar association was also observed in complement-fixing ICA (CF-ICA) positive subjects. Future prospective studies will be necessary to establish the role of IAA as marker of B-cell damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Critical evaluation of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels during thyroid hormone suppression therapy versus Tg levels after hormone withdrawal and total body scan: results in 291 patients with thyroid cancer.

Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were measured during thyroid-hormone suppressive therapy in 291 patients who had been treated for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The findings were compared with those of a subsequent total body scan (TBS) and with Tg levels measured after thyroid-hormone withdrawal. Of the patients with low Tg levels during suppressive therapy, 91.6% were subsequently shown to be free of disease or to have only remnants in the thyroid bed, whereas 8.4% had metastases (false-negative). Of the patients with false-negative findings, 89.3% had nodal metastases; 60.8% of the patients with nodal metastases exhibiting radioiodine uptake and only 23% of those with nonfunctioning nodal metastases had low Tg levels during suppression therapy. After thyroid-hormone withdrawal, all but 1 of the patients with nodal metastases had high Tg levels. All but 2 of the patients with distant metastases had high Tg levels during suppression therapy; 1 of these 2 patients exhibited high Tg levels after T3 withdrawal. No differences between Tg levels in patients with functioning and non-functioning metastases were found. Our study indicates that Tg assays performed during suppressive therapy have a fairly good predictive value and can be used as a general guide in the follow-up of thyroid cancer. However, since most differentiated metastases produce Tg only when stimulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone, measurements of Tg levels after the discontinuation of suppressive therapy would also seem to be necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Alpha cell autoantibodies: immunological and metabolic follow-up study.

We studied glucagon responses to OGTT and insulin and arginine stimulation in 12 out of 21 patients who were found positive for alpha cell autoantibodies (ACA) during routine screening procedures for autoimmunity in a group of 4080 individuals. The study was repeated in 8 subjects after an average observation period of 42 months. In both studies glucagon plasma levels were normal and independent of ACA titres, ACA ability to fix complement and ACA ability to cross-react with duodenal alpha cells. The clinical significance of ACA remains to be elucidated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Localization of met-enkephalin on human spermatozoa and evidence for its physiological role.

Pro-opio-melano-cortino-derived peptides have been identified in rat testicular extracts and in human seminal plasma, but their physiological role is still unknown. We report that met-enkephalin is localized on human spermatozoa, by means of an indirect immunofluorescent technique. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a met-enkephalin analog (D-Ala2-Mephe4-Met-(o)-ol-enkephalin, FK 33-824, Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland: DAMME) inhibits in a dose-dependent manner the acrosome reaction induction. The hypothesis of a physiological role of seminal met-enkephalin on human spermatozoa fertilizing ability is briefly discussed.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1986

Down's syndrome, hypothyroidism and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

We describe a child with Down's syndrome who developed an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus at the age of 8 years and hypothyroidism at the age of 17 years. Because of the well known tendency to autoimmune diseases of patients with Down's syndrome, an autoantibody screening was undertaken. Only a low titre for gastric parietal cell antibodies was repeatedly found, but a gastric biopsy did not reveal chronic atrophic gastritis. Thyroid function should be checked periodically in patients with Down's syndrome since they might suffer from hypothyroidism which may not be recognized for a long time because of its latent onset.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Serum thyroglobulin levels in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer during suppression therapy: study on 429 patients.

UNLABELLED: Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) was measured in 429 patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, during thyroid hormone suppression therapy. 324 patients out of 429 were considered free of disease; 44 had only remnants in the thyroid bed; 61 had metastases, of them 40 were detected by TBS and 21 were nonfunctioning and were detected by other diagnostic procedures. Tg was measured by a RIA method in 257 patients and by an IRMA method in 277 patients. The correlation between the two methods was very good (r = 0.914) for values higher than 25 ng/ml with the RIA method. The cut-off limit to distinguish pathological from nonpathological values was considered the mean value found in the patients free of disease plus 2SD. The cut-off limit for the RIA method was 24.2 ng/ml and 3.0 ng/ml for the IRMA method. Of patients with high Tg levels 92% had metastases, either nodal or distant; only 8% had remnants in the thyroid bed. Tg levels were high in 80% of the patients with metastases, all but two of the patients with metastases and low Tg levels had nodal metastases. Moreover, Tg levels were high in 76% of the patients with metastases unable to take up radioiodine. IN CONCLUSION: patients with low levels of serum Tg during suppression therapy have a high probability of being free of disease, even though the presence of tumors cannot be excluded. On the other hand a value greater than the cut-off limit suggests the presence of metastases despite a negative scan.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

Incidence and significance of organ-specific autoimmune disorders (clinical, latent or only autoantibodies) in patients with vitiligo.

The frequency of autoimmune disorders was determined in 373 vitiligo patients and in controls matched for sex, age and race. Vitiligo patients had an increased frequency of clinical autoimmune diseases of thyroid (7.5%), stomach (0.8%), parathyroid (1%), adrenal gland (1.3%). Vitiligo patients, without clinical signs of overt autoimmune diseases, also had a statistically significant increase in the frequency of gastric parietal cell (p less than 0.001), thyroid microsomal (p less than 0.05) and adrenal autoantibodies (p less than 0.05). This increased incidence of autoimmune manifestations was correlated with the duration of vitiligo. Furthermore in 94% of the patients with parietal cell autoantibodies a gastric biopsy showed atrophic gastritis. In addition, in 48% of the patients with thyroid microsomal autoantibodies and in 2 out of 6 patients with adrenal autoantibodies without overt diseases at the beginning of the study, the functional investigation of the target organs during the follow-up allowed the detection of the presence or that of the subsequent development of clinical or subclinical dysfunction.

Adult↗