[Nephrolithiasis due to infections. Analysis of the mode and factors of progression toward renal failure].
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
C Martini
Publications and source records attributed to C Martini.
[A case of Aicardi's syndrome].
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Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗
Investigation of the potential role of membrane CD38 in protection against cell death induced by HIV-1.
The aim of the present study was to assess the possibility that mCD38, a bifunctional ectoenzyme with NAD+ hydrolase and ADP ribose cyclase activities, exerts a protective role in the development of acute, non-syncytial cell death from HIV-1. This hypothesis was tested in a panel of human T-cell lines with defined membrane CD4 (mCD4) expression. A negative correlation was found between the levels of mCD38 expression and the rate of acute cell death from HIV-1 observed 96 h after infection. The negligible rate of cell death from HIV-1 detected in some cell lines (H9 and Supt-1) is apparently unrelated to the level of mCD4 expression, whereas the association with high levels of mCD38 is confirmed. In H9 and Supt-1 cells, the fraction of cells positive to HIV-1 p24 is lower than in the mCD38low cell lines (MT-4, MT-2, C8166). This suggests that high CD38 expression is correlated to resistance to HIV-1 infection, resulting in a lower rate of cell death. A further finding supporting the work hypothesis is that the addition of nicotinamide, a reaction product of CD38, confers to MT-4 cells (mCD38low) partial protection against acute cell death from HIV-1. This indicates that nicotinamide may be at least partially responsible for the correlation observed between high levels of mCD38 and negligible rates of acute cell death from HIV-1.
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
Prevalent decrease of the EGF content in the periurethral zone of BPH tissue induced by treatment with finasteride or flutamide.
The aim of the present investigation is to verify whether treatment with Finasteride or Flutamide influences the regional distribution of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue. Thirty seven BPH patients were studied: 15 untreated, 9 treated with Flutamide (750 mg/day for 2 months), and 13 treated with Finasteride (5 mg/day for 3 months). Testosterone and DHT were evaluated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after purification of the extracts on celite columns, and EGF was evaluated by RIA after purification on Sep-pak C18 cartridges in total tissue and in periurethral, subcapsular, and intermediate zone. In the untreated group, T, DHT, and EGF of the periurethral region are higher than those of the subcapsular zone (P < 0.01 for T and P < 0.001 for DHT and EGF). In the Flutamide group, DHT is not modified, T is increased (P = 0.045), and EGF is decreased in total tissue (P < 0.02) and in the periurethral zone (P < 0.01). In the Finasteride group, T is increased (P < 0.001), and DHT and EGF are decreased (P < 0.001), particularly in the periurethral zone. A positive linear correlation between DHT and EGF is observed in the Finasteride and in the untreated groups. In conclusion, in BPH the production of EGF is a DHT-dependent receptor-mediated function. The reduction of this growth factor during both treatments, associated with a fall of DHT in only the Finasteride group, is particularly evident in the periurethral zone. Since Finasteride reduces prostatic volume, mainly of the periurethral zone, we can speculate that DHT is responsible, either directly or indirectly through growth factors such as EGF for the enlargement of this region and thus responsible for urinary obstruction.
Aged↗
Isosteric replacement of amide by ester function. Synthesis and benzodiazepine receptor affinity of indol-3-ylglyoxylyl ester derivatives.
A number of benzyl and phenylethyl esters of indol-3-ylglyoxylic acid were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]Ro 15-1788 binding from bovine brain membranes. In these new compounds the oxygen atom of the ester function replaced the amide NH group of a class of previously described indolylglyoxylylamides, since it is reported in literature that in the beta-carboline series an ester function is more favourable to the activity than an amide group. However, none of the compounds showed an affinity at the Benzodiazepine receptor higher than that of the corresponding amides, demonstrating that the presence of the amide NH group is favourable to the interaction of ligands with the receptor site.
Amides↗
[DRG and infections of the urinary tract in pediatrics].
The aim of this study was the evaluation of admissions in 1995 in the two public hospitals of Verona (Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona) ascribed to the DRG 322 (urinary tract infections from birth to 17 years). Seventy-six patients with actual diagnosis of urinary tract infection were evaluated. The coefficient of variation of hospitalization for the DRG 322 was 52%, attesting a good grade of internal homogeneity. A more detailed subdivision of the DRG 322 on the basis of age is required in pediatric patients.
Adolescent↗
Androgen concentrations and their receptors in the periurethral region are higher than those of the subcapsular zone in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an androgen-dependent disease that initially develops in the inner prostate, where the highest concentrations of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are found. In this study, we have evaluated the cytosolic androgen receptors (ARc), the nuclear androgen receptors (ARn), and the concentrations of T, DHT, and 3alpha-androstanediol (3alphaDiol) in BPH tissue to verify the existence of a possible correlation between androgens and their receptor concentrations. Prostatic samples, removed by suprapubic prostatectomy in 15 untreated patients, were sectioned in periurethral, intermediate, and subcapsular zones. Testosterone, DHT, and 3alphaDiol were evaluated by radioimmunoassay after extraction and purification on celite microcolumns, and ARc and ARn were evaluated by means of dextran-coated charcoal method. In total tissue, mean levels of DHT, T, and 3alphaDiol were 2,531+/-308, 260+/-36, and 403+/-35 pg/mg of DNA (mean+/-SE), respectively. Cytosolic androgen receptors, detectable in all cases, were 16+/-2.8 fmol/mg of protein (mean+/-SE), and ARn, detectable in 12 cases, were 108+/-15 fmol/mg of DNA (mean+/-SE). A linear correlation between DHT and 3alphaDiol, T and DHT, and 3alphaDiol and ARn was found. If the different regions are considered, the periurethral zone, site of the primitive BPH nodule, presents the highest levels of androgens and ARn with respect to the other regions. This relative hyperandrogenism may be responsible for the growth-promoting processes of this area, leading to urinary obstruction.
Aged↗