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Biomedical subjects

C Bianco

Publications and source records attributed to C Bianco.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Aphasia caused by left paramedian thalamic infarction. Anatomo-clinical case].

A 67 year-old right-handed man presented with an aphasia of acute onset associated to paralysis of vertical eye movements, mild cerebellar right dysmetria and right hemiparesis without hemianopia. CT scan showed two low density areas in the left thalamus and left occipital lobe. Neuropsychological examination revealed a non fluent aphasia with normal repetition, semantic paraphasias, perseverations and good comprehension of verbal and written commands. There was no alexia. Writing was impaired only by motor disturbances. Three weeks after the onset, tetraparesis and impairment of consciousness followed by a locked in syndrome supervened. Death occurred four months after onset. Neuropathological examination showed a left paramedian thalamic infarct involving the ventrolateral, dorso-medial and intralaminar nuclei, sparing the pulvinar. There was an occipital infarct sparing the calcarine scissura and multiple infarctions in the pons and the cerebellum. Broca's and Wernicke's areas were spared. We suggest that the involvement of medial nuclei could be partly responsible of language disturbances in thalamic aphasia.

Aged↗

Localization of macrophage agglutination factor activity to the gelatin-binding domain of fibronectin.

We previously proposed that macrophage agglutination factor (MAggF, a T cell-derived guinea pig lymphokine) is a fibronectin (FN). We now show MAggF binding to gelatin and to peritoneal macrophages is mediated by domains similar to corresponding domains of plasma FN. MAggF activity in lymphokine concentrates prepared by two different methods differed nearly 10-fold in m.w. on gel filtration chromatography. Despite this difference, MAggF dose-activity curves of both preparations were parallel, and MAggF in both preparations bound reversibly to gelatin and to monoclonal anti-guinea pig FN immunoadsorbents. MAggF activity in one preparation was inhibited by the addition of soluble monoclonal antibody specific for the gelatin-binding domain of human FN; inhibitory activity of this antibody was blocked by purified guinea pig plasma FN or partially purified MAggF from the other preparation. Measured MAggF activity of both preparations was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by pretreatment of indicator macrophages with monoclonal anti-human monocyte FN receptor antibody or F(ab')2 fragments or with guinea pig plasma FN. Neither anti-FN receptor antibody nor plasma FN interacted directly with MAggF. Indirect immunofluorescence studies confirmed the presence of uncomplexed plasma membrane receptors for FN on indicator macrophages in MAggF-responsive populations that were able to bind added FN. Our identification of MAggF as lymphokine FN provides a basis for future biochemical analysis of delayed hypersensitivity inflammatory reactions.

Animals↗

Differentiation stimuli induce receptors for plasma fibronectin on the human myelomonocytic cell line HL-60.

Plasma fibronectin (Fn) induces phagocytosis of C3b-opsonized sheep erythrocytes (EC3b) by human peripheral blood monocytes. However, Fn does not induce erythrophagocytosis of EC3b by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), unless the PMN have been exposed to C5a or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Because of this difference, it is of great interest to examine Fn binding to cells that possess the capacity to differentiate into either granulocytes or monocytes. Hence, we have examined the consequences of Fn binding to the human myelomonocytic cell line, HL-60, both before and after in vitro differentiation of the HL-60, along a monocytoid or a granulocytoid pathway. Fn receptors were not found on undifferentiated HL-60, but several differentiating agents promoted the HL-60 binding of Fn-coated microspheres (Fn-ms). The peak of Fn-ms binding occurred four to five days after the induction of differentiation with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and two days after induction by PMA. In addition, cells that differentiated along either the monocytoid or the granulocytoid pathway showed a marked increase in the phagocytosis of both IgG-coated erythrocytes (EA) and EC3b when they were exposed to Fn. Comparison of the effects of anti-Fn monoclonals on the binding of Fn-ms to the monocytes, PMN, and HL-60 showed that the same monoclonals block Fn-ms-binding and Fn-induced EC3b phagocytosis by all three cell types. Two monoclonal antibodies, M1/70 and A6F10, directed against membrane antigens on PMN and monocytes, inhibited Fn-ms binding. Both also blocked Fn-induced EC3b ingestion by these cells. However, neither antibody blocked Fn-ms binding or EC3b ingestion by differentiated HL-60. We conclude that differentiated HL-60 cells express functionally active Fn receptors, similar to monocytes and activated PMN, which, nonetheless, differ from normal cells in their association with the antigens recognized by M1/70 and A6F10.

Animals↗

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in postconcussion syndrome.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded from 55 patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) to elicit evidence of an organic and subclinical brainstem disorder. Fifteen patients (27.3%) showed abnormal responses unilaterally or bilaterally, especially for one or more interpeak latencies prolonged beyond the upper 99% confidence limits. Other 9 patients had borderline responses. The BAEP alterations were not correlated either with dizziness at the time of recording, or with vestibular troubles in the routine caloric test. Though BAEP abnormalities may be present a long time after injury, we found an improvement of responses in the majority of 14 re-tested patients. These data show that BAEP can give an objective demonstration of a reversible brainstem disorder in patients with PCS.

Adolescent↗

[Wallenberg's syndrome due to a dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery].

A 54 year old man without pathologic past history but mild hypertension, obesity and gastric ulcer, presented with a syndrome of Wallenberg. He had complained for five days of progressive and diffuse headache. The neurological condition improved initially, but the patient died suddenly two weeks later. Pathological examination showed no significant alteration except for left ventricular enlargement and mild arteriosclerosis. There was a hemodissection (dissecting aneurysm) of the left vertebral artery next to the inferior oliva. It induced a lateral infarct and a limited dorsal infarct at the middle third level of medulla oblongata. Although the location of the arterial changes is usual, their nature is exceptional. The cause of the arterial hemodissection could not be ascertained: fibrous arterial dysplasia, atherosclerosis or congenital abnormalities of internal elastic layer may be discussed. But no definite conclusion can be reached.

Aortic Dissection↗

Autopsy findings in 111 cases of esophageal cancer.

Autopsy findings for 111 cases of esophageal cancer are presented. Residual tumor in the esophagus was present in 75% of the cases. Lymph node metastases were found in 74.5% and visceral metastases in 50% of the cases. Autopsy revealed a second primary tumor in 21% of the cases; 12% of these were oropharyngeal-laryngeal (OPL) carcinomas, and 9% were visceral carcinomas or malignant lymphomas. Nonmalignant disease found in association with esophageal cancer was dominated by conditions related to chronic alcoholism. Autopsy findings thus revealed that the patients bore not only esophageal lesions, but also patterns of other associated malignant and nonmalignant diseases which would seem to correspond to a complex pathologic state occurring in association with chronic alcoholism. The time between onset of symptoms and autopsy averaged 10.6 months and between first consultation and autopsy, 6.3 months. The brevity of survival from onset of symptoms would seem to confirm that by the time esophageal cancer manifests clinically, it is already at a stage of development beyond the scope of treatment.

Aged↗

Receptors for cold-insoluble globulin (plasma fibronectin) on human monocytes.

This investigation focused on the role played by cold-insoluble globulin (CIg, plasma fibronectin) in monocyte function. Surface-bound CIg mediated a concentration-dependent of human blood monocytes to gelatin-coated surfaces. CIg also mediated the binding of gelatin-coated particles such as latex beads or tanned erythrocytes to surface-bound human monocytes. However, CIg did not mediate particle ingestion. Subfractionated CIg that was highly enriched in monomeric forms (zone II CIg, mol wt 190,000-235,000) was less effective than were fractions enriched in dimeric forms (zone I CIg, mol wt 450,000) in promoting monocyte attachment. Binding of CIg to a gelatin or plastic surface occurred in the absence of divalent cations, but monocyte attachment to CIg-coated surfaces required divalent cations, Mg++ being much more effective than Ca++. Cation-dependent cell attachment was reversible in that bound cells could be released by treatment with EDTA. Serum-mediated binding of monocytes to gelatin-coated plastic dishes was a result of its content of CIg because the binding activity was abolished by removal of CIg from serum, and could be restored by readdition of purified CIg. Treatment of monocytes with trypsin abolished subsequent cell attachment to CIg-gelatin surfaces or particles. Expression of certain other known monocyte membrane receptors (Fc and C3b) was markedly enhanced as a result of CIg-monocyte interaction. These several observations indicate that monocytes bear membrane receptors (termed receptor cold-insoluble globulin) for surface-bound CIg.

Cations, Divalent↗

Plasma membrane polypeptides of resident and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

With the lactoperoxidase/glucose oxidase-catalyzed iodination method, we have identified at least 19 exteriorly disposed plasma membrane polypeptides on mouse peritoneal macrophages, with molecular weights ranging from 12,000 to 290,000. Resident and inflammatory macrophages could be distinguished by qualitative and quantitative differences in the display of selected polypeptides, although the overall banding patterns were similar. Some of the labeled polypeptides were identified by immunoprecipitation.

Animals↗

[Cerebellar atrophy associated with lesions of the pallidum and luys' body and presence of lewy bodies. Relationships with degenerative disorders of the pallidum, substantia nigra and luys' body (author's transl)].

Clinical and pathological findings in a case of hereditary degenerative disease of the nervous system are reported. The clinical picture associated cerebellar signs with an action hypertonia, which was the cause of severe hypertonic paroxysms in the terminal stages of the illness. Pathological lesions were found in the cerebellar cortex, the external part of the pallidum, Luys' body, and the substantia nigra which included Lewy bodies. The relationships of this case with atrophic lesions of the pallidum and Luys' body are discussed.

Aged↗

Immune phagocytosis in murine malaria.

Spleen macrophages from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice are more efficient in the ingestion of parasitized reticulocytes than spleen macrophages obtained from normal animals. Other indications of spleen macrophage activation detected during malarial infection are enhanced macrophage spreading and increased phagocytosis of opsonized and nonopsonized sheep erythrocytes (E). Peritoneal macrophages are not activated to a significant degree. The appearance of antibodies directed against Forssman antigen, but not to other erythrocyte antigens, is also a feature of this infection and explains the ingestion of unsensitized E by spleen macrophages of the diseased animals. The recognition and ingestion of parasitized reticulocytes by infected mice in mediated by cold-agglutinin type immunoglobulins that appear during P. berghei infection and can be blocked by the Fc-binding protein A from Staphylococcus aureus. In advanced stages of the disease, the serum of infected animals inhibits phagocytosis, probably because of the high level of circulating immune complexes. Thus, the clearance of malaria parasites is regulated by several elements of the immune system, in addition to levels of specific antimerozoite antibodies, including the amount of antibodies bound to reticulocytes, the presence of circulating immune complexes, and the degree of macrophage stimulation.

Animals↗

The induction of macrophage spreading by factor B of the properdin system.

Unstimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages attached to a glass substratum responded to activated human factor B (Bb) of the properdin system but not to native factor B with rapid spreading and a concomitant increase in their apparent surface area. Excellent correlation of the distribution of Bb protein and cell-spreading activity was found upon purification of Bb by ion-exchange and molecular seive chromatography and alkaline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 1.6 microgram of purified Bb was sufficient to induce spreading in 50% of 5 x 10(4) glass attached macrophages within 1-2 h at 37 degrees C. Treatment of Bb with di-isopropyl-fluorophosphate indicated that the intact catalytic site of the serine-proteinase Bb was required for the initiation of macrophage spreading. The involvement of factor B in the induction of rapid cell spreading could also be indirectly demonstrated in an autologous system in which F(ab')2 fragments of an antiserum to mouse B prevented mouse macrophages from spreading in response to complement-activated mouse serum. These experiments suggest a role for factor B and the alternative pathway of complement fixation in the localization of mononuclear phagocytes to areas of inflammation.

Animals↗

Regulation of macrophage migration by products of the complement system.

Agents formerly shown to induce rapid macrophage spreading were examined for their ability to modify the migration of macrophages in the capillary tube assay. Products of the activation of the contact phase of blood coagulation as well as the purified component Bb, the large cleavage fragment of factor B of the alternative complement pathway produced a dose-dependent inhibition of migration. In addition, inflammatory macrophages elicited with either a lipopolysaccharide endotoxin or thioglycollate medium exhibited rapid spreading and inhibited migration, whereas resident cells did not. A close correlation existed, therefore, between enhanced spreading and inhibited migration under both in vitro induced and in vivo situations. Cleavage products of component C5 of the classical complement pathway enhanced macrophage migration and did not alter spreading. In mixtures of C5 cleavage products and Bb, the predominant peptide determined the outcome of the reaction. Factor B, a normal secretory product of macrophages, may represent a common substrate for several of the proteases that induce spreading, inhibit migration, and lead to the generation of the enzymatically active fragment Bb.

Ascitic Fluid↗