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Biomedical subjects

C Giordano

Publications and source records attributed to C Giordano.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Immunobiology of normal and diabetic pregnancy.

The International Congress of Immunobiology of Normal and Diabetic Pregnancy brought together a heterogeneous group of workers to consider one of the most fascinating areas of immunology. The meeting, which proved to be a thinkshop as much as a workshop, developed along two major lines: (1) an examination of new data in normal pregnancy immunology, from both the research and clinical points of view and (2) analysis of the suspected problems of diabetic pregnancy. 'Suspected' because pregnancy-related problems in diabetic women are not due solely to metabolic disturbances, but also involve immunological aspects of diabetes, particularly where type I diabetes is concerned.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗
PubMed1990

Cardiovascular system and tissue oxygen pressure (ptO2) in bilaterally nephrectomized rats.

1. In bilaterally nephrectomized rats, 24 or 44 +/- 2 h after surgery, normal distribution of tissue pO2 values was measured at the surface of liver and thigh muscles. 2. As cardiac output was generally higher in uremic rats as compared with that of corresponding controls and arterial pO2 was rather elevated in the uremic rats, it may be concluded that the cells of the uremic animals were sufficiently supplied with oxygen. 3. Consequently, the known depression of whole body oxygen consumption in acute uremic rats must be due to metabolic defects at the cellular level. 4. Elevated arterial blood pressure in acute uremic rats is due to elevated cardiac output which in turn is mainly caused by fluid retention. When uremic rats are deprived of water the increase of blood pressure, cardiac output and plasma volume are considerably blunted.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The influence of high dose intravenous immunoglobulins on immunological and metabolic pattern in newly diagnosed type I diabetic patients.

In autoimmune disease the functional deficiency of T suppressor cells, also described in Type I diabetes, may be restored through immunoglobulin (Ig) infusion, which increases antigen phagocytosis, NK activity, cell clones and antibody anti-idiotype responses. Sixteen Type I diabetic patients were studied: eight were treated soon after the initial correction of disease-onset glycemic deterioration with intensive intravenous (i.v.) 7S Ig treatment (0.4 g/kg/BW) for 1 week and once per week for 6 months, whilst the remaining patients constituted the control group. All patients were evaluated during the study for metabolic and immunological parameters. A reduction in insulin requirement compared to conventionally treated patients was observed at the third (0.17 +/- 0.06 vs 0.44 +/- 0.08 IU/kg/BW; P less than 0.02) and at the sixth month of therapy (0.19 +/- 0.07 vs 0.54 +/- 0.07 IU/kg/BW; P less than 0.005). Two patients ceased to require insulin therapy within the BW; P less than 0.005). Two patients ceased to require insulin therapy within the first month, showing a prolonged restoration of B-cell function. Serum C-peptide values were also significantly higher in the Ig-treated group compared to the control group after 3 and 6 months. As regards immunological parameters, patients showed a decrease in insulin antibody levels and a reduction in TAC+ cells. Intravenous Ig therapy seems able to affect positively the first phases of metabolic and immunological deterioration of Type I diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Early administration of an immunomodulator and induction of remission in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

A clinical trial was undertaken to determine whether intensive thymopentin administration enhances remission of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) during the first year after diagnosis. Dosage with insulin was minimized with target control of blood glucose levels less than or equal to 7.8 mmol/l before meals. Remission was defined as a prolonged period after IDDM onset (not less than 3 months) characterized by a non-insulin-receiving (NIR) state in which target metabolic control was reached without administration of insulin and with a valid C-peptide response, evaluated after standard breakfast. Sixteen IDDM patients aged 12-31 years, recruited within 2 weeks of initiation of insulin therapy and within 5 weeks of onset of symptoms, were treated with intravenous (i.v.) thymopoietin32-36 pentapeptide (Thy) (1 mg/kg/body weight) for 7 days and twice per week for up to 3 months. A control IDDM group without initial significant differences in metabolic control parameters was also studied. No difference was observed between the two IDDM groups regarding the after-diagnosis normalization curve of HbA1c; mean daily glycemic level rates and ICA titer decreased during the observation. A reduction in anti-insulin antibodies (AIA) in Thy-treated patients was observed in comparison to conventionally treated IDDM starting from 6 months and reaching a reduction peak at 1 year (P less than or equal to 0.02). As regards the NIR remission rate, it was significantly more accelerated in Thy-treated patients, reaching 43% at 6 months and 57% at 1 year vs 12% and 6.7% respectively in the control IDDM group (P range less than or equal to 0.05-0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Ethnicity and sex as correlates of depression symptoms in a Canadian university sample.

Differences in the extent of depression symptoms were explored in a sample of Canadian university students representing Anglo-Celtic, South European, North European, East European, South Asian, and East Asian ethnocultural backgrounds in Toronto, one of the world's most ethnically diverse cities. Consistent with expectations, sex and ethnic differences in the self-reported strength of depression symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), were found. Women scored higher overall on total BDI scores and were proportionally more apt to be classified as mildly depressed (by having scored 10 or more on the BDI) than men. Similarly, as regards ethnicity, students from South Asian and South European ethnic backgrounds scored higher on the BDI and were also more likely to be classifiable as mildly depressed than those from either East European or Anglo-Celtic backgrounds. An explanation emphasizing the role of societal discrimination in producing feelings of learned helplessness and subsequent depression is proposed to account for the sex and ethnic differences in depression symptoms we and others have observed.

Acculturation↗
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↗
PubMed1990

Serum reactivity against RINm5F purified membrane antigens (ICMA) in newly diagnosed diabetic subjects.

A simple and rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of islet cell membrane antibodies (ICMA) in the sera of IDDM has been recently established. This new method has been made possible by using affinity purified islet cell membrane antigens from a monoclonal insulin secreting cell line obtained from a transplantable rat insulinoma (RINm5F). One hundred and thirty-three sera of newly diagnosed diabetic patients (duration of symptoms of less than 3 months) were tested, and ICMA positivity was found in 21% of patients. In the same group we found 64% ICA positive subjects, but no correlation has been found between ICA and ICMA. Therefore these two auto-antibodies should be considered as expression of different steps of the autoimmune beta-cell damage. In this light ICMA could represent a very early marker of autoimmune process and it could be useful to recognize, among risk subjects, those who are developing IDDM.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Prevalence of squamous carcinoma of the larynx].

A study was made to determine how prevalent laryngeal cancer proved to be in 2000 E.N.T. out-patients upon their initial examination. The aim was to ascertain which population was at high risk for laryngeal cancer through the use of computerized analysis of the risk factors. Furthermore, the authors wanted to determine the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and safety of fiberoptic laryngoscopy as a diagnostic tool to be used in screening. By scanning risk factors for laryngeal cancer, subjects were classified into 3 risk classes: low, medium and high. A total of 71 positive endoscopic tests were found in the high risk class alone. Further diagnostic procedures carried out on these subjects revealed 38 cases of invasive cancer, 43 'in situ' carcinoma and 24 precancerous lesions of the larynx. These data are discussed and the suggestion made that screening for laryngeal cancer only include males over the age of 40. Scanning risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption could also be effective in identifying the high risk groups for laryngeal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Prevalence of cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx].

A study was made to determine how prevalent oral and oropharyngeal cancer proved to be in 600 E.N.T. out-patients upon their initial examination. The aim was to ascertain which population was at high risk for thys type cancer through the use of computerized analysis of the risk factors. By scoring risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancer, subjects were classified into 3 risk classes: low, medium and high. Endoscopy proved positive in 22 cases only in the high risk class. Further diagnostic procedures, performed for all subjects, revealed 16 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 'in situ' carcinoma, and 5 precancerous lesions of the oral cavity and oropharynx. This data is then discussed and the suggestion made that scoring such risk factors as tobacco and alcohol consumption could also be effective in identifying the high risk groups for this disease in a selective screening program.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cisplatin, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy for recurrent carcinoma of the salivary gland.

Nine patients (5 males, 4 females; median age, 62 years) with recurrent high-grade malignancies of major (7 cases) and minor (2 cases) salivary gland origin (4 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 2 adenocarcinomas, 2 poorly differentiated carcinomas, 1 mixed malignant tumor) were treated with cisplatin (60 mg/m2), epirubicin (50 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2) (CEF) by intravenous injections on the first day of a 21-day regimen. Previous therapy included surgery (1 case), radiotherapy (1 case), and surgery + radiotherapy (7 cases). There was 1 complete response (11.1%), 3 partial responses (33.3%), 2 unchanged lesions (22.2%) and 3 progressions (33.3%). Patients with local recurrence had a better response. Median remission duration was 7.5 months in CR + PR patients. Median overall survival was 8+ months; 14+ months for responders and 4 months for nonresponders. The major toxic effects were nausea/vomiting and alopecia; myelosuppression was less frequent and usually not severe.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Combined chemotherapy for recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Thirty-two patients (24 males, 8 females; median age 54 yrs) with recurrent and/or metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal type were treated with chemotherapy. Remissions were observed in 17 of 32 (53.2%) with 5 complete (CR) (15.6%) and 12 partial responses (PR) (37.6%). A combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil was the most effective regimen (CR + PR = 83.3%). Objective responses. (CR + PR) were 47% (CR = 11.7%) in schemes without cisplatin and 60% (CR = 20%) in cisplatin-based combinations. The median overall duration of response was 7.2 months. The median overall survival time was 10.3 months: 15.1 months for responders and 5.2 for non-responders. No important toxicity was observed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1989

Low protein alimentation normalizes renal haemodynamic response to acute protein ingestion in type 1 diabetic children.

The effect of an acute protein load (2 g kg-1 bodyweight [BW]) was studied in nine type 1 diabetic children. Patients were maintained on two different dietary regimens. In study one, patients were on a high protein diet providing from 2.7 to 1.8 g of protein/kg of BW per day. In study two, patients were reevaluated after three weeks of a diet providing from 1.0 to 1.2 g kg-1 of BW per day of protein. In study one (High Protein Diet), we failed to observe any rise in GFR and RPF following the protein meal (137 +/- 21 basal vs. 110 +/- 14 and 472 +/- 93 basal vs. 494 +/- 93 ml/1.73 m2 of SA min-1 at 60 min. This is in contrast with results from seven age matched controls consuming a free diet, which showed a significant rise in both GFR and RPF. In study two (low protein diet), basal GFR was significantly reduced. However after the protein load, both GFR (92 +/- 11 vs. 126 +/- 18 ml/1.73 m2 of SA min-1) and RPF (467 +/- 83 vs. 705 +/- 102 ml/1.73 m2 min-1) rose significantly (P less than 0.05 vs. basal). The data indicate that: 1. short term protein restriction reduces significantly GFR in type 1 diabetic children; 2. diabetic children maintained on an high protein intake show an altered haemodynamic response to protein ingestion; 3. a normal response to protein ingestion can be restored by short term dietary protein restriction.

Adolescent↗
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

Human retroviruses HTLV-I, HIV-1, and HIV-2 and neurological diseases in some equatorial areas of Africa.

HTLV-I is associated with tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) in the Caribbean area and with certain chronic myelopathies termed HAM (HTLV-I-associated myelopathy) in Japan. In order to investigate the situation in Africa, we tested for HTLV-I, but also for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies, 94 patients with epidemic spastic paraparesis (ESP) from Zaire and Tanzania, 26 cases of sporadic spastic paraparesis (SSP) and 21 cases of tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN), both from Ivory Coast, and 319 unselected neurological patients from Ivory Coast, Congo, and Tanzania. While none of the 94 ESP cases nor any of the 21 TAN patients exhibited antibodies to any retrovirus, 4 of the 26 sporadic spastic paraparesis patients had high HTLV-I antibodies in their sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Three of those were clinically and immunologically identical to TSP, as observed in persons from the Caribbean region, and the fourth case, a poorly explored chronic pyramidal syndrome, could also represent a TSP. Only one of these four cases originally had HIV-1 antibodies. Among the 319 unselected patients, only 5 (1.6%) had HTLV-I antibodies, but 32 (10%) had HIV-1 antibodies and 14 (4.4%) had HIV-2 antibodies, with a number of combined infections, indicating that retroviruses represent potentially important etiological agents for African neurological diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus type I and the presence of IgG oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with endemic tropical spastic paraparesis.

Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), a neuromyelopathy predominantly involving the pyramidal tract and commonly observed in tropical and equatorial areas, was recently found to be associated with human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). We investigated sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 19 patients with TSP who were from the Caribbean area, French Guiana, and Africa. Our results showed an elevated intra-blood-brain barrier IgG synthesis rate and an elevated IgG index, with an increased HTLV-I antibody-to-albumin ratio and the presence of CSF oligoclonal bands in the majority of the patients. These data, in association with similar HTLV-I antibody patterns between patients with TSP who were from these three regions, strengthen the probable etiologic role of HTLV-I in the pathogenesis of such chronic neuromyelopathies.

Adult↗