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Biomedical subjects

C Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrari.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Argyrophil cell hyperplasia of fundic mucosa in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.

Eighteen cases of severe hyperplasia of fundic argyrophil cells observed during routine histologic examination of endoscopic gastric biopsy specimens from unselected patients with upper gastro-intestinal symptomatology were investigated. All patients, except one, were female with a mean age of 57 years. Atrophic gastritis of fundic mucosa with severe hypo- or achlorhydria was present in all cases. Hypergastrinaemia (of antral origin) was found in 15 subjects in which circulating gastrin levels were determined. Pernicious anaemia was seen in 1 patient. At light microscopy, the hyperplastic fundic cells were stained by the Grimelius and the Sevier-Munger silver methods and, in approximately 30% of cases, by lead-haematoxylin. In addition, these cells reacted with anti chromogranin antibodies. In 8 of 9 patients studied by electron-microscopy, enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells were found to be the more frequent cell type. D1 cells prevailed in 1 case and were rare in the others. The frequency of P cells was intermediate between that of ECL cells and that of D1 cells. In conclusion, our observations indicate that: argyrophil cell hyperplasia of atrophic fundic mucosa is prevalently found in women with hypergastrinaemia, and the hyperplastic process involves mostly the ECL type of gastric endocrine cells. It is noteworthy that similar associations have been shown to be present in patients affected by fundic carcinoid tumours and atrophic gastritis.

Enterochromaffin Cells↗
PubMed1986

Long-lasting prolactin-lowering effect of cabergoline, a new dopamine agonist, in hyperprolactinemic patients.

The new long-acting ergoline derivative cabergoline was given orally in a single dose of 300 micrograms to 15 hyperprolactinemic patients (including 4 acromegalic patients, 2 of whom were dopamine responsive). Serum PRL and GH levels were determined before and 3, 4, and 6 h and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after treatment. A control test with a single oral dose of 2.5 mg bromocriptine was also performed; serum PRL and GH levels were measured at the same time intervals for 2 days. Cabergoline induced a marked fall in serum PRL which began within 3 h and continued for 7 days. The maximal decrease ranged between -49.2% and -55.2% and occurred after 2-5 days. This maximal effect was only slightly less than that 6 h after bromocriptine treatment (-63.8%). After cabergoline treatment, serum GH levels did not change significantly in either nonacromegalic or acromegalic patients, whereas the two dopamine-responsive acromegalic patients had a marked GH fall after bromocriptine. A moderate blood pressure decrease, more evident in the standing position, occurred after both cabergoline and bromocriptine treatments. The only symptomatic side-effect was orthostatic hypotension after cabergoline in an elderly woman. These data indicate that cabergoline has potent and prolonged dopaminergic activity and may prove suitable for once weekly treatment of hyperprolactinemic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Natural killer cells expressing the Leu-11 antigen display phagocytic activity for 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide- treated sheep red blood cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations, identified by anti-Leu-7 and/or anti-Leu-11 monoclonal antibodies, have been investigated in immunoelectron microscopy by using a peroxidase-colloidal gold double labeling system. More than 90% of non-E rosetting/non-adherent Leu-11+ cells and approximately 60% of E rosetting Leu-11+ cells displayed phagocytic capacity for 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells, whereas Leu-7+ -Leu-11- cells consistently failed to ingest 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells. The phagocytic activity of Leu-11+ cells was not dependent on the Leu-7 antigen coexpression. Moreover, the NK capability of Leu-11+ cells has been verified. In both E rosetting and non-E rosetting/non-adherent cell populations, Leu-11+ enriched subsets displayed significantly higher NK capability when compared with Leu-11- cells. Previous reports provided evidence for different cytotoxic capability, recombinant human interleukin 2 mediated activation, and ultrastructural features of Leu-11+ cells in comparison to Leu-7+-Leu-11- cell subset. The data from the present investigation indicate that 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells phagocyting NK cells are confined to the Leu-11+ subset and give added strength to different function capabilities of Leu-11+ and Leu-7+-Leu-11- cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Selective sensitization of peripheral blood T lymphocytes to hepatitis B core antigen in patients with chronic active hepatitis type B.

The proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), pre-S antigen and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) has been studied in 20 patients with hepatitis B virus induced chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and in 12 control subjects. Eleven of the 20 CAH patients showed a significant T lymphocyte proliferative response to HBcAg, whereas no proliferation was detectable in response to envelope antigens (HBs and pre-S) in any patient. T cell subset fractionation revealed that HBcAg specific proliferation was limited to the CD4+ (helper/inducer) population. CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells were unresponsive to HBcAg and did not suppress the proliferative response of autologous CD4+ cells. The HBcAg specific T cell proliferative response did not correlate with serum anti-core antibody titres or with biochemical evidence of liver disease. The present results show the selective presence of HBcAg-sensitized T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with HBsAg positive CAH and suggest that the peripheral lymphoid compartment may not reflect immunopathogenetically important cellular events operative at the site of tissue injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Leu-7-positive cells with monocyte phenotype show different ultrastructural features in comparison to Leu-7-positive cells with T-cell phenotype.

The ultrastructural features of the Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulation and the Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cell subpopulation were characterized and compared using immunogold-immunoperoxidase double labelling with immunoelectron microscopy. The majority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a monocyte phenotype and showed an ultrastructural pattern specific for functional natural killer (NK) cells, i.e. a low nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, an irregular outline, many cytoplasmic organelles and electron-dense granules. In contrast, only a minority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a T phenotype, and these were characterized by a high N/C ratio, an even surface and the absence of electron-dense granules. Thus, Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cells may by an immature form of NK cells, and Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive and Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulations may represent different stages of Leu-7-positive cell differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Effect of dihydroergokryptine administration on serum prolactin and growth hormone levels in normal, hyperprolactinaemic and acromegalic subjects: evidence of potent and long-lasting pituitary dopamine receptor stimulation.

The endocrine effects of a relatively potent dopaminergic agent, dihydroergokryptine, have been studied in normal subjects, and in hyperprolactinaemic and acromegalic patients. A single 6 mg oral dose of the drug caused a marked, long lasting fall in prolactin (PRL) plasma levels in healthy subjects, in hyperprolactinaemic patients and in normoprolactinaemic acromegalics. Growth hormone (GH) levels decreased in 1-DOPA - responder, acromegalic patients, but dihydroergokryptine did not affect GH levels in normal volunteers or in 1-DOPA non-responder, acromegalic patients. The PRL- and GH- lowering activity of 6 mg dihydroergokryptine was significantly greater than that of 6 mg dihydroergocristine, and was similar to that of an oral dose of 500 mg 1-DOPA.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1985

Hypothalamic disease presenting as amenorrhoea: value of computed tomography.

Five women presenting with amenorrhoea (three with secondary amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea, and two with primary amenorrhoea) were shown to have suprasellar abnormalities by computed tomography. Organic hypothalamic disease was confirmed at surgery (craniopharyngioma in three, intra- and suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst in one, aqueductal stenosis and suprasellar arachnoid cyst in one). Moderate hyperprolactinaemia was present in the first four, while the last had isolated gonadotrophin deficiency of hypothalamic origin. One of the hyperprolactinaemic women had entirely normal residual pituitary function, visual fields and tomography of the sella. Two of the patients with secondary amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea had resumption of menses during bromocriptine therapy before operation. Spontaneous menarche and subsequent pregnancy occurred after ventriculoatrial shunt in the girl with aqueductal stenosis. Organic hypothalamic diseases may present with amenorrhoea (sometimes as the only symptom) more commonly than previously appreciated. Computed tomography should replace conventional tomography of the sella and should be an essential part of the clinical investigation in all patients with amenorrhoea of hypothalamo-pituitary origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between growth inhibition and mitochondrial function in petite-negative yeasts. I. Effects of antibiotics and dyes upon pathogenic and non-pathogenic Candida species.

Antibiotics and dyes which preclude growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in media containing oxidizable carbon sources arrested the growth of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida utilis even in glucose medium. The growth in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of the various antibiotics and dyes determined a reduction in the cell survival but with no accumulation of respiratory deficient mutants. Under these culture conditions, the total respiration declined leaving a residual antimycin A-resistant--hydroxamate-sensitive O2 uptake, and the amount of the respiratory cytochromes aa3 and b synthesized was reduced. SDS gel electrophoresis of soluble proteins prepared from the antibiotic-treated cells showed some bands in the MW range 92-100 K, which became faint after the cells were grown in the presence of some mitochondrial inhibitors. The ultrastructural analysis of these cells evidenced disappearance of the mitochondrial cristae and their replacement by unfolded membranes. The data obtained suggest that the petite negative trait of Candida could depend on the non-viability or on the very low viability of those cells which have lost their mitochondrial function.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between growth inhibition and mitochondrial function in petite-negative yeasts. II. Effects of central nervous system drugs upon pathogenic and non-pathogenic Candida species.

Six nervous system drugs which inhibited vegetative reproduction of S. cerevisiae arrested also mitotic division of C. utilis, C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Chlorpromazine and chlorpheniramine which proved to be the most effective, affected respiration and cytochrome biosynthesis. Electrophoretic bands with MW congruent to 100 K were faint in silver-stained electrophoregrams of proteins from cells grown in the presence of a sub-inhibitory concentration of chlorpromazine.

Amitriptyline↗
PubMed1985

Spontaneous pregnancies in hyperprolactinemic women.

29 pregnancies occurred spontaneously in 28 women with mild to moderate hyperprolactinemia (prolactin levels up to 100 ng/ml). Only 4 of them showed tomographic evidence of microprolactinoma; 1 of the prolactinoma patients experienced a visual field defect at week 30, which was quickly controlled by bromocriptine treatment. Pregnancy was uneventful in the rest of the patients. Subjects who wished to lactate successfully breast-fed their babies. Of 22 women in whom prolactin levels were reevaluated at least 1 month after delivery and/or lactation, normal values were found in 9.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of fenfluramine oral administration on serum prolactin levels in healthy and hyperprolactinemic women.

The effects of two different doses (40 and 80 mg orally) of fenfluramine on serum prolactin (PRL) levels have been evaluated in healthy and hyperprolactinemic women and compared with those of the potent dopamine antagonist sulpiride (100 mg i.m.). The lower fenfluramine dose resulted in a significant PRL rise in healthy women (n = 16) but not in hyperprolactinemics (n = 14). A dose-response effect was shown between 40 and 80 mg in control subjects (n = 7); in 4 hyperprolactinemics the higher dose also failed to increase PRL levels. Sulpiride resulted in a much greater PRL response. Since fenfluramine at the low doses used does not seem to exert antidopaminergic action, it is suggested that the mild PRL stimulation observed be mediated by the known brain serotoninergic activation induced by the drug.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Ultrastructural characterization of human large granular lymphocyte subsets defined by the expression of HNK-1 (Leu-7), Leu-11, or both HNK-1 and Leu-11 antigens.

A peroxidase-colloidal gold double labeling system in immunoelectron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructural features of human large granular lymphocytes (LGL) subpopulations. Three subsets of LGL, Leu-7+-Leu-11-, Leu-7+-Leu-11+, Leu-7- -Leu-11+, were characterized using combinations of the monoclonal antibodies anti-Leu-7 and anti-Leu-11. They showed different ultrastructural patterns. In fact, Leu-7+-Leu-11- cells showed a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio (N/C), a round nucleus, a cytoplasm with few organelles, and a rather even surface. Moreover, most of them lacked electron-dense granules. On the other hand, Leu-11+ cells displayed a low N/C, an irregular-shaped nucleus, and a cytoplasm containing a well-developed Golgi apparatus, many mitochondria, vacuoles, vesicles, and numerous electron-dense granules. Moreover, they exhibited an irregular cell surface. Thus, Leu-7+-Leu-11- cells seemed to represent an immature form of LGL, while cells expressing the Leu-11 antigen showed a fine structure specific for functional NK cells. Our findings suggest that the expression of HNK-1 (Leu-7) and Leu-11 antigens respectively represents subsequent stages in NK cell differentiation.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Histologic, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural study of malignant islet-cell tumors of the pancreas induced in hamsters by BK human papovavirus.

Histologic, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural studies were performed in 17 cases of pancreatic carcinomas induced by the BK virus in Syrian hamsters, a unique model of experimentally induced malignant islet cell tumors. The tumors were composed of small, poorly differentiated cells mostly arranged in a trabecular structure. By immunofluorescence all four islet cell types were found in the tumors, though with different frequency. Insulin cells were present in 16 cases, glucagon cells in 11, somatostatin cells in 7, PP cells in 6. Thirteen tumors contained more than one cell type. Insulin cells were the most frequent cell type in 13 cases, and glucagon cells predominated in 1 case. Insulin-containing cells usually occupied a central position within tumor-cell aggregates, while the other cell types were mostly located in a peripheral position, a distribution reminiscent of that seen in normal islets. Gastrin and calcitonin immunoreactivities were not observed. Immunoreactive cells were more abundant in tumors with trabecular structure. Argyrophil cells revealed by the Grimelius method often exceeded the cumulative number of immunoreactive cells in the same tumor, which suggests that there were additional cell types. Multiple cell types were also found in liver metastases. Ultrastructurally most neoplastic cells were poorly granulated. The occurrence of many damaged cells suggests hormone leakage, which may account, at least in part, for the deregulated hormone release from the tumors.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1984

Immunoperoxidase-immunogold double labelling in immunoelectronmicroscopy of large granular lymphocytes.

A method for better characterization of mononuclear cell subpopulations using detection of 2 surface antigens simultaneously in electron microscopy was developed with immunoperoxidase-immunogold double labelling. Monoclonal antibodies of IgG and IgM classes were used in the first step, and colloidal gold-labelled anti-mouse IgG antibody and peroxidase-labelled anti-mouse IgM antibody (mu chain-specific) in the second step. Immunoelectronmicroscopy with such double labelling improves ultrastructural analysis of mononuclear cell subpopulations.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1984

Purification of muscle uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase by hydrophobic chromatography.

Uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase was purified 2500-fold from rabbit skeletal muscle with a total recovery of 35% of the initial activity. The present procedure was made possible by an extensive use of hydrophobic chromatography. Purified pyrophosphorylase had a specific activity of 500 mumol/min/mg of protein and was homogeneous by chromatographic and electrophoretic criteria. The enzyme appears to be composed of eight subunits of 53,000 molecular weight each.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1984

[Indwelling transtracheal sound for oxygen administration in the patient with hypoxic chronic respiratory insufficiency].

A new technique for administering oxygen to patients with severe chronic respiratory failure is reported. It consists of introducing a catheter, 2 mm in diameter, into the trachea between the second and third tracheal rings under local anesthesia. The technique was used in a 70-year old patient with severe chronic obstructive lung disease and resulted in significant reduction of dyspnoea, improvement in general condition with a weight gain of 6 kg in 6 months, and a 15 mmHg increase in arterial partial oxygen pressure for the same oxygen flow rate. This technique appears to be indicated for patients with chronic respiratory failure whenever dyspnoea is not adequately reduced by oxygen given through a nasal tube.

Aged↗