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Biomedical subjects

C Caruso

Publications and source records attributed to C Caruso.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Reduced superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes of dialysis patients: a possible factor in the etiology of uremic anemia.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays a major part in the destruction of oxygen-free radicals in the body. SOD activity is impaired by several trace elements including aluminium and silicon which are found in increased levels in plasma and tissues of uremic man. SOD activity was investigated in the erythrocytes of normal controls and of dialysis patients to determine if lack of SOD-protective activity could be a contributory cause to the increased hemolysis of uremia. It was found that SOD levels in red cell hemolysate were significantly lower in dialysis patients (41.4 +/- 9.1 units/100 ml) compared to control (49.3 +/- 7.2 units/100 ml) (U = 7.3; p less than 0.005). When expressed per 100 ml of whole blood SOD levels were 3.25 +/- 0.93 units/100 ml in dialysis patients and 6.46 +/- 0.99 units/100 ml in controls (U = 96; p less than 0.001). It is concluded that inhibition of SOD activity in the erythrocytes of dialysis patients may contribute to their anemia.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1990

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor secretion defect in vitro in HLA-B8, DR3 positive subjects.

Several studies have shown that HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects may display T cell dysfunctions. Recently, a soluble form of the receptor for IL-2 (sIL-2R) has been demonstrated in human sera and in vitro-stimulated culture supernatant from human T lymphocytes. In the present paper we report sIL-2R serum levels and sIL-2R production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects. We found that HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects have the highest values of serum sIL-2R, but comparing the values of these subjects with those of negative ones no significant difference was observed. As regards the in vitro production of sIL-2R, no difference exists for unstimulated cultures, whereas after stimulation, the HLA-B8,DR3 positive subjects showed the lowest values compared with negative ones. It is noteworthy that these changes are observed in autoimmune diseases linked to this HLA phenotype.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in vitro production by mononuclear cells from Hodgkin patients.

Lymphocytes of patients with Hodgkin's disease have a deficient production of Interleukin-2. Recently, a soluble form of the receptor for IL-2 has been demonstrated in human sera and in vitro-stimulated culture supernatants from human T lymphocytes. In the present paper we report the production of soluble IL-2R from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in H.D. The unstimulated MNC of patients released more sIL-2R than controls. No difference was observed between PHA-stimulated MNC of patients and controls. These preliminary findings suggest that soluble IL-2R may be provide a new tool for the study of immunological dysregulation in H.D.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Oedema protein concentrations for differentiation of cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis.

The differentiation between cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis was investigated in a series of patients with acutely swollen, painful, red legs. Oedema-fluid protein concentrations (as mean [SD]) were significantly higher in patients with cellulitis than in those with deep vein thrombosis (19.8 g/l [5.0] vs 5.85 g/l [1.6]), and the oncotic pressure of oedema-fluid was also significantly higher in cellulitis (6.3 mm Hg [1.3] vs 2.1 mm Hg [0.6]). In hospitals where phlebography, plethysmography, or doppler ultrasound are not available, measurement of oedema-fluid protein concentrations may be a rapid and inexpensive guide to the cause of a red, swollen leg.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

The amino acid sequence of the alpha- and beta-chains of the two hemoglobins of the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta.

The blood of the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta contains two hemoglobins, Hb 1 and Hb 2, which have a beta-chain in common. We have elucidated the primary structure of the beta-chain (146 residues) and of the alpha-chains (142 residues) of the two hemoglobins. The two alpha-chains differ from each other by 51 residues; in comparison with globin sequences of temperate fishes, the alpha-chain of Hb 1 is more similar to that of bluefin tuna than to the alpha-chain of Hb 2 of the same species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Hemoglobin from the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta. 2. Amino acid sequence of the alpha chain of Hb1.

The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha chain of the main hemoglobin of the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta (family Nototheniidae) has been determined. It consists of 142 residues; an acetylated seryl residue is at the amino terminal. The molecular mass is 15,519 Da. In comparison with alpha-chain sequences of non-Antarctic poikilothermic fish hemoglobins, the homology appears to be significantly lower than that existing among the latter species. A higher homology has been found with the alpha-chain sequence of the non-poikilothermic bluefin tuna.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Lack of correlation between HLA-B35 resistance against herpes labialis and antibody titers to HSV-1.

To investigate whether genetic factors linked to the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) might influence individual resistance to recurrent herpes labialis (RHL), we studied the frequencies of HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens in a sample of Sicilian population. The frequency of HLA-B35 was significantly decreased in the patient group (p corrected = 0.018). Consequently, the relative risk of development of RHL in a subject positive for HLA-B35 was 20 times smaller than in a subject who does not bear B35. Furthermore, a study was made of the possible relationship between the presence of HLA-B35 antigen and antibody titers to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in 62 persons affected or not by RHL. Significantly elevated titers to HSV-1 were found in the diseased group (p less than 0.001), but the geometric mean of antibody titers in HLA-B35 positive subjects was not different from that of B35 negative subjects either of RHL-affected or in healthy persons. These data are in a good agreement with the hypothesis that humoral immune responses play a marginal role in the protection from HSV-1 recurrences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Effect of aluminium on superoxide dismutase.

1. The effect of Al3+ on superoxide dismutase in vitro was studied, since in uraemia there is excessive superoxide production and frequently an elevated serum Al3+ level. Thus, the protective role of superoxide dismutase is particularly important. 2. Al3+ in concentrations similar to those found in the serum of uraemic patients inhibits superoxide dismutase activity. The degree of inhibition is directly proportional to the Al3+ level. 3. The combination of excessive oxygen free radical production with an increased Al3+ level may contribute to a variety of complications, including aluminium dementia or initiation and promotion of carcinogenic processes, which are known to be more common in uraemic patients.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1989

Interleukin 2 and soluble interleukin 2-receptor secretion defect in vitro in newly diagnosed type I diabetic patients.

In this study, we investigated whether an interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion defect by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after in vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-M) occurs in either newly diagnosed or long-standing type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients and whether it is accompanied by a dysregulation of soluble IL-2-receptor (IL-2RS) production. PBMC cultures (2.5 x 10(6) cells), unstimulated or stimulated with PHA-M (25 micrograms/ml), from 20 type I diabetic patients (10 with time since onset less than 3 mo and 10 with long-term diabetes of less than 3 yr) and 10 control subjects were studied for the production of IL-2 and IL-2RS in their respective supernatants. No difference was found in IL-2 production in unstimulated cultures of type I patients compared with control subjects, although a significant decrease from PHA-M-stimulated cultures were seen (newly diagnosed, 1.7 +/- 0.3 ng/2.5 x 10(6) cells; long-standing, 2.2 +/- 0.3 ng/2.5 x 10(6) cells; P less than .001 and P less than .05, respectively) compared with control subjects (3.6 +/- 0.4 ng/2.5 x 10(6) cells). In regard to the production of IL-2RS, no difference exists for unstimulated cultures, whereas, after PHA-M stimulation, both newly diagnosed and long-term-diabetic patients showed a decrease in the IL-2RS levels (318 +/- 50 and 331 +/- 62 U/2.5 x 10(6) cells; P less than .02 and P less than .05, respectively) compared with normal subjects (463 +/- 34.2 U/2.5 x 10(6) cells). Thymus-activated cell phenotypes confirmed the T-lymphocyte activation after a 48-h culture period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Blood IgA, IgM and IgE levels are influenced by sex and HLA phenotype.

In the present study we have investigated the HLA-B8,DR3-associated control of serum IgA levels in 110 randomly selected HLA-typed healthy subjects. Serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE levels were measured in all individuals. The values were analyzed according to age, sex and HLA-DR phenotype. No correlation between age and serum IgA, IgM and IgE levels was found in our homogeneous sample, since all subjects studied were in a narrow age range, i.e. 20-49 years. In contrast, a significant positive correlation was found for IgG levels. The mean IgM level was significantly higher in females than in males, whereas the mean IgA and IgE levels were significantly lower in females. HLA-DR2-positive subjects displayed the significantly highest levels of serum IgE, whereas HLA-B8,DR3-positive subjects showed the significantly lowest levels of serum IgA. Thus, our results show that in our random sample sex and DR phenotype are involved in the control of serum IgA, IgM and IgE levels. The genetic control of sex and HLA-B8,DR3 of serum IgA levels could be related to the high incidence of autoimmune disorders among females and HLA-B8,DR3-positive individuals. The results showing higher levels of IgE in HLA-DR2-positive subjects might be consistent with the observation of a strong association between HLA-DR2 and IgE immune hyperresponsiveness to some allergen(s).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Identification of a reactive lysyl residue labelled with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.

Human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase contains a reactive lysyl residue, which can be labelled with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The binding of one mole of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate per mole of enzyme subunit produces substantial inactivation. The substrate glucose-6-phosphate prevents the loss of activity, suggesting that the reaction site is close to the substrate-binding site. A tryptic peptide containing the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-binding lysyl residue has been isolated and characterised. The reactive lysyl residue has been identified in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase amino acid sequence. Comparison with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from other sources shows a high homology with a peptide containing a reactive lysyl residue, isolated from the enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides also contains a region highly homologous with the sequence around the reactive lysyl residue in the human enzyme. The results of this communication provide the first direct evidence for the association of an essential catalytic function with a specific region of the molecule of human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1988

HLA-Cw4 association with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Sicilian patients.

The HLA frequencies of 50 Sicilian patients affected with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were examined. The frequency of Cw4 antigen was significantly increased in patients. Thus results obtained in our homogeneous population confirm in part previous reports suggesting that Cw4-related genetic factors might be involved in the susceptibility to aetiological or pathogenetic mechanisms which play a role in some haematological malignancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Dissociated production of interleukin-2 and immune gamma-interferon by phytohaemoagglutinin stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

In order to analyze the first steps of T cell activation in type 1 diabetes we studied in vitro IL-2 and gamma-IFN production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 24 h PHA stimulation. There was a significant decrease in IL-2 production by mononuclear cells of the diabetic patients with respect to the controls. No significant difference was observed between the diabetic patients and the healthy subjects as regards gamma-IFN production. These observations may be interesting in relation to the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in type 1 diabetes. In particular, normal gamma-IFN production may indicate integrity of the natural killer circuit.

Adolescent↗