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Biomedical subjects

C Cervini

Publications and source records attributed to C Cervini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Nailfold computed videomicroscopy in morpho-functional assessment of diabetic microangiopathy.

Although careful measurement of the size of capillary loops is mandatory in the evaluation of diabetic microangiopathy, no current technique allows rapid and careful morphometric analysis of capillaroscopic findings. In an attempt to solve this problem, assembling readily available instruments, the authors have set up an original apparatus for computed videomicroscopy. The apparatus ensures detailed morphological assessment of single loops at high magnification. Each single frame stored on videocassettes can be digitalized for morphometric analysis, saved on floppy disk or printed by means of a graphic printer.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diacetylrhein and rhein: in vivo and in vitro effect on lymphocyte membrane fluidity.

The effect of diacetylrhein on lymphocyte membrane fluidity in osteoarthritis patients before and after 10 and 30 days of treatment was studied using the 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene fluorescence polarization. Moreover we studied the in vitro effect of rhein, the active metabolite of diacetylrhein, on lymphocyte membrane fluidity of controls using the fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and its cationic derivative 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Our results showed that the patients with active osteoarthritis have higher fluorescence polarization values than those in the other osteoarthritis patients and in the controls. Moreover after 10 days of diacetylrhein treatment, we observed a significant decrease of fluorescence polarization values only in lymphocytes of the patients who showed active osteoarthritis before therapy. However after 30 days of treatment, significant changes of fluorescence polarization values were observed also in those patients who did not show painful osteoarthritis before diacetylrhein treatment. We observed that in vitro rhein also induces an increase in lymphocyte membrane fluidity, more evident with 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene with respect to 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intralesional therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome: a sonographic-guided approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pictorial essay is to show a representative example of sonographic-guided injection in carpal tunnel syndrome associated with tenosynovitis of the finger flexor tendons. METHODS: Images were obtained using a real-time ultrasound system (AU4-idea; Esaote Biomedica, Genoa, Italy) equipped with a 13-MHz linear transducer. The best injection site was detected using a fine metal clip placed between the skin and the transducer. The images here were obtained in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to tenosynovitis of the finger flexor tendons. RESULTS: Steroid injection within the carpal tunnel under sonographic control was easily performed. All steps of the needle placement within the widened tendon sheath were carefully evaluated on the monitor screen. Marked clinical improvement occurred shortly thereafter (3 days) and increased over the next 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: A detailed assessment of the carpal tunnel and a correct, safe placement of the needle for steroid injection can be quickly performed under sonographic guidance.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The "endothelium/platelet unit" in hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.

Various pathogenetic theories of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) have been proposed (neurogenic, hormonal, artero-venous shunts, genetic theory), but none of them is able to satisfactorily explain the genesis of HOA. The hypothesis of a central role of the "endothelium/platelet unit" was recently discussed. Above all, the release of the platelet derived growth-factor (PDGF) contained in platelet granules is particularly interesting. In order to assess the microvascular involvement in HOA we set up a research project whose aims were to evaluate the morphology of the capillary network at the nailfold, the dynamic aspects of microcirculation and in vivo platelet function. Since this study is still in progress, for the time being we present only a few preliminary results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Personality pattern in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgic syndrome. Psychological investigation.

This study reports the psychological symptomatology assessed in 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) and 50 with primary fibromyalgic syndrome (PFS). Depression and illness behavior were investigated by two self-report scales in their validated Italian translations: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) and Illness Behavior Questionnaire developed by Pilowsky and Spence (IBQ). Our results suggest that the average RA patients were not depressed to a clinically significant level at the time of the investigation. The mean scores of CES-D by RA patients do not differ from those found in Italian patients affected by other organic diseases. On the contrary, mean score in the CES-D depression scale obtained from PFS patients was significantly higher than the cut-off point. In analyzing the pattern of illness behavior the significant difference between RA and PFS patients in scale of denial of problems is relevant. This means the RA patients have a tendency to deny life stresses and to attribute all problems to the effects of their illness. Such a result is in line with a classic psychosomatic point of view, that defines RA patients as alexitimic ones, that is, with poor capacity to recognize and express emotions. Our data support both the hypothesis that depressive symptoms are more common among PFS patients than RA patients, and that psychological factors may play a significant role in most patients with PFS.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: our experience.

Although an incredible amount of time, work and money has been spent in the evaluation of the relative efficacy of anti-rheumatic drugs, no specific resolutive therapy is currently available for rheumatoid arthritis. In these authors' experience early rheumatoid arthritis should be treated with the most powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin) and the most tolerated disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (hydroxychloroquine) available. With respect to hydroxychloroquine, auranofin has a comparable efficacy, but the incidence of side effects is significantly higher than with hydroxychloroquine. Sulphasalazine provides very good results. The enthusiasm for this drug is moderated only by the high frequency of patient drop outs. Corticosteroids should be only used in patients with active disease who do not respond to conventional therapy, and/or those with life-threatening complications (i.e., vasculitis).

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stimulated chemiluminescence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in rheumatoid arthritis: in vivo enhancement by auranofin.

The aim of the study was to investigate the interaction of opsonized zymosan with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from 26 rheumatoid arthritis patients (six males and 20 females; mean age, 51.88 +/- 11.15 years; range, 33-72 years) and 11 control subjects (two males and nine females; mean age, 56.54 +/- 12.1 years; range, 33-75 years) using a luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (CL). The data obtained suggest that the opsonized zymosan stimulated CL is decreased in untreated rheumatoid patients compared with control subjects. The decreased stimulated CL may be the result of a physico-chemical alteration of the membrane (including decreased membrane fluidity and translocation of receptor sites) induced by free radicals of oxygen and/or by multiple exposures to chemotaxins. Auranofin enhances stimulated CL although the mechanism is not clear. Auranofin could interact with membrane lipids, induce changes in membrane surface charges and increase membrane fluidity. Our results are difficult to compare with those of previous studies, since different assays, and chemoattractants were applied. In addition, the disease activity and medication were also different.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interactive image analysis in the rectal mucosa of rheumatoid arthritis.

Interactive measurements of 22 quantitative parameters concerning the status and inflammation of the mucosa were taken in the rectal biopsies of patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, or with mild nonspecific morphological abnormalities (M.N.M.A.) and inflammation of the lamina propria or with Infective Colitis. The results showed that mean and standard deviation values of the rheumatoid patients are generally intermediate between those of control cases and those of M.N.M.A. and Infective Colitis. The variance analysis revealed that significant differences in some of the features exist between the four groups. Stepwise discriminant analysis helped in identifying three parameters that contributed significantly to discriminating 96.30% of the cases: Mucin area/Mucosal area; Number of inflammatory cells in the lower half/Number of inflammatory cells in the upper half of the mucosal thickness; Number of Granulocytes/mm2 of the lamina propria. Of the 27 cases included in the study, only one belonging to the control group was allocated incorrectly by the computer to the Rheumatoid Arthritis category. High correlation coefficients were observed between some of the morphometric, serological and clinical data in the rheumatoid patients. The highest values were between Number of Mononuclear cells/mm2 of lamina propria and C-Reactive Protein (+0.920) as well as between Mucin area/Mucosal area and serum IgM level (-0.950).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chiromorphoergometry (a new method for assessment of joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis).

The authors suggest a method for "measuring" the morpho-functional damage of hands and wrists. This method analyzes three postural tests: - "Praying hands" (cf. Fig. 1,2) - "Back of the hands opposed" (cf. Fig. 3) - "Phalanges opposed (by their dorsum)" (cf. Fig 4). These tests define for each hand three angles a1, a2, a3. The corresponding indices I1, I2, I3 are obtained by the following formula: Ii = (1 - ai/90 degrees) . 100. One then defines a general index ITOT by the following expression: ITOT = (I1 + I2 + I3)/3 The index ITOT looks very effective in assessing the patient's condition in an objective way and is simple enough to be used in everyday practice. Hence it is also helpful in therapy-monitoring.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Periungual capillary microscopy in patients with chronic polyarthritis and psoriasis arthropathica].

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nail bed capillary abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. In 10 per cent of rheumatoid patients the morphological pattern of the nail bed capillaries of the ten fingers was remarkably variable. Long capillaries and a clearly visible subpapillary plexus were the most prominent findings in these patients. The only significant finding observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis was a high subpapillary plexus visibility. Avascular areas and giant loops (typical of scleroderma) were not found in either disorder.

Arthritis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A prospective study of the long-term efficacy and toxicity of low-dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of weekly low-dose methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifty-one patients receiving MTX for RA were prospectively studied over a mean treatment period of 36 months. Standard clinical and laboratory measures of disease activity were assessed by the same investigator at baseline, and at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: The overall probability of continuing to take MTX was 80.3% at 12 months, 74.5% at 24 months, and 70.5% at 36 months. Of the 36 patients who completed 36 months of therapy, a significant improvement was noted compared to baseline in all of the clinical disease variables and acute phase reactants, with a steroid-sparing effect. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the 36-month visit and the 24- or 12-month visit. Adverse events occurred frequently (80.3%), but only 15.6% of the patients discontinued MTX permanently. Four patients (7.9%) withdrew due to a lack of efficacy. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that MTX remains effective over 36 months of therapy, with an acceptable toxicity profile.

Adult↗