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Biomedical subjects

C Zanussi

Publications and source records attributed to C Zanussi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effect of calcium antagonists on histamine release from human basophil leukocytes.

The effect of calcium antagonists on basophil activation was investigated in 14 subjects. Verapamil, methoxyverapamil and diltiazem, in a concentration range of 1-100 microM, exert a concentration-dependent inhibition on the human basophil histamine release induced by calcium ionophore A23187, zymosan activated human serum and grass pollen allergens. This inhibitory effect is highly variable from subject to subject and from drug to drug. At concentrations higher than 200 microM, verapamil, methoxyverapamil and diltiazem induce a calcium independent histamine secretion from basophil leukocytes. This mediator release is associated with an increase in LDH levels in the cell supernatant and seems to be due to a cytotoxic effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Functional evaluation of the basophil/IgE system in the cord blood.

Basophil releasability was studied in 24 cord blood samples from normal-term deliveries. The histamine content in cord blood basophils was similar to that of adult blood basophils. The response to IgE-independent degranulating stimuli such as calcium ionophore A23187 and zymosan-activated human serum was overlapping with that of normal adults. Conversely, a reduced releasability was observed after challenge with anti-IgE, even after sensitization with an IgE-rich serum. The IgE-dependent degranulation seems to be hampered by the low concentrations of circulating and cell-bound IgE antibodies. The number of IgE molecules bound to the specific receptors in cord blood basophils is significantly lower than in adult blood basophils.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

AMLR and MLR stimulating activity of human T lymphocytes activated in vitro by soluble HLA-DR antigens.

We have examined the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) stimulating activities of T cells precultured in vitro with soluble allogeneic or autologous HLA-DR antigens. These cells (Ts) are known to suppress the human MLR: this suppression is specific in that it occurs only when stimulator cells have the same HLA-DR antigen as that used to induce differentiation of suppressor cells. Ts cells express new membrane specificities; they can be separated by immunoabsorption into two populations: Ts enriched (Tx+; with suppressive activity) and Ts depleted (Ts-; with helper function). In the present study, we have demonstrated that both Ts cell subsets activated by soluble HLA-DR alloantigens are able to stimulate both MLR and AMLR. Ts cells activated by soluble autologous HLA-DR antigens are able to stimulate MLR, but not AMLR.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Occurrence of drug reactions].

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence of allergic reactions to drugs compared to other kinds of medical emergencies admitted to the main Hospital in Milan during a 6 months period. At the same time we drew a list of drugs most frequently involved in allergic reactions, and a list of the most frequent symptoms. Using special forms, the medical staff collected patients' data: age, history of atopy, identification of the drug causing the reaction, and any previous reactions. Among 11,407 cases of medical emergencies, we found 163 (1.43%) patients showing drug reactions: the mean age was 27.3; 58.90% were female; atopy was present in 16.56%. The drugs most frequently involved were: pyrazon group (22%); ASA (20.86%); penicillin and derivatives (9.20%); sulfa drugs (6.14%); group B vitamins (4.30%); tetanus toxoid (4.30%); hyposensitizing extracts (3.68%); propionic acid derivatives (2.46%); paracetamol (1.84%); indomethacin (1.23%); rifampicin (1.23%); erythromycin (1.23%); glafenine (1.23%); others (17.80%). Urticaria and/or angioedema were the most frequent symptoms (86.51%), then anaphylactic shock (9.81%) and asthma (3.68%) with regard to anaphylactic shock only 6.20% of the patients had had a previous reaction to the same drug. From these data we can see that the incidence of drug reactions is very low compared to other medical emergencies; penicillin evidenced fewer reactions than expected, while the pyrazon group and ASA confirmed the data from literature.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1986

In vitro synthesis of IgM rheumatoid factor by lymphocytes from patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with Essential Mixed Cryoglobulinemia (EMC) were studied for their ability to synthesize polyclonal IgM and rheumatoid factor (RF) IgM in vitro. Our results indicate: that EMC-PBMC produce smaller amounts of polyclonal IgM but higher quantities of IgM-RF than normal PBMC after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Staphylococcus aureus activation, so that the IgM-RF to total IgM ratio is significantly greater in EMC than in normal cultures; that enriched EMC-B lymphocytes display a significantly higher spontaneous synthesis of IgM-RF than normal B lymphocytes and that the IgM-RF B cell clones are receptive to T cell regulation. Taken together these findings suggest an expansion of B cell clones committed to IgM RF production and the presence in peripheral blood of differentiated B lymphocytes capable of secreting IgM-RF in EMC.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Chronic granulomatous disease in a 23-year-old female.

A 23-year-old girl with clinical and laboratory findings characteristic of chronic granulomatous disease is described. The patient was admitted to hospital because of severe disseminated aspergillosis. Studies of neutrophils showed normal phagocytosis but impaired microbicidal killing and a failure of the respiratory burst activity as measured by NBT-reduction, superoxide generation, chemiluminescence and antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity. Patient's neutrophils had normal chemotactic responsiveness but a marked impairment in the level of serum chemotactic activity was observed. Neutrophils from the parents and 2 maternal aunts showed normal values for all the determinations. The lack of evidence for a carrier state in all the family members studied together with the inability to detect a mixed population of neutrophils in our patient are in contrast with the Lyon's hypothesis of X-chromosome inactivation. Our findings suggest an autosomal recessive inheritance in this female with chronic granulomatous disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Phagocyte function and immunological findings in a Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome long-term survivor.

The case reported concerns a 19-year-old man who presented with clinical and laboratory findings compatible with the Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome. Our patients is the eighth reported case of a long-term survivor with this syndrome. Immunologic studies revealed, in spite of a normal lymphocyte number, an impaired delayed hypersensitivity and a failure of response to mitogens and irradiated allogeneic cells. IgE and IgA levels were high while IgM levels were low. Studies of phagocytic cells showed normal phagocytosis, candidacidal activity, IgG receptors and phagocytic metabolic burst. However, the patient's neutrophils and monocytes responded poorly to chemoattractants and the serum generated less chemotactic activity than normal sera. Detailed studies revealed the presence in the patient's serum of 2 different inhibitors of chemotaxis: a cell-directed inhibitor and an inhibitor of chemotactic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Impaired antipneumococcal antibody production in patients without spleens.

Fifteen splenectomised and 15 normal subjects were studied, in absence of any intentional immunisation, for pokeweed mitogen induced synthesis of antipneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antibodies in vitro by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results showed that removal of the spleen had caused a persistent immune deficiency of circulating B cells capable of synthesising IgM antipneumococcal capsular polysaccharide. In vitro synthesis of polyclonal IgM and IgG by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects without spleens was also depressed. These defects were due to an abnormality of the B cell compartment. These data are evidence of the major role of the spleen in the control and production of a consistent part of pokeweed mitogen responsive circulating B cells and add another facet to the complex immune dysfunction of splenectomised subjects. The findings, moreover, may help in understanding the susceptibility of splenectomised people to pneumococcal sepsis and the delayed and impaired antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Evidence for differing dopaminergic activity in childhood- or adult-onset obesity.

In order to investigate dopaminergic activity in two types of human obesity, childhood- and adult-onset, we have studied the responses of plasma TSH and prolactin to domperidone, a dopamine receptor antagonist, in 12 patients obese since early childhood, 12 patients with adult-onset obesity, and in 12 lean controls. All subjects were females. In childhood-onset obese patients the responses of plasma prolactin and TSH to antidopaminergic stimulation were lower than those of adult-onset obese patients and lean controls. Conversely, the stimulus elicited a normal response of plasma prolactin and an exaggerated response of plasma TSH in adult-onset obese patients. These data indicate the presence of differing dopaminergic tone in the two types of human obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Complement anaphylatoxins in idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Basophil activation, observed in patients with idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia, has been related to the complement anaphylatoxins C4a, C3a and C5a. In the present study the plasma levels of the complement anaphylatoxins have been evaluated in 21 patients affected with idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia. The plasma concentration of C3a desArg was significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy controls; conversely the plasma values of C4a desArg were significantly lower. C5a desArg was not detectable in plasma from any subject. The high plasma level of C3a desArg in our patients may suggest a role for C3a anaphylatoxin in 'in vivo' basophil activation. No correlation was found between the plasma concentrations of C3a desArg or C4a desArg, the amount of cryoprecipitate and the clinical activity of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Characterization of T cell subsets in patients with atopic dermatitis using OKT monoclonal antibodies.

The distribution of T cell subsets has been studied by means of OKT monoclonal antibodies in 19 children with atopic dermatitis. In these patients a decreased percentage of circulating OKT4+ cells has been observed, while no difference has been found between atopic and normal subjects, regarding the percentages of circulating OKT8+ and OKT11+ cells. An increased OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio has been detected only in three children with a particularly severe and extensive atopic eczema.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of allergic etiology in perennial rhinitis.

In 197 patients with perennial rhinitis, 49 patients (24.9%) were found to be allergic to perennial inhalant allergens, 37 patients (18.8%) allergic to seasonal allergens, 52 patients (26.4%) had food intolerance, 12 patients (6.6%) showed evidence of nasal infection, and in 46 patients (23.3%) etiology was undetermined.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Anti-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Sera from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients giving a fluorescent ribosomal pattern on tissue and cell preparations also showed precipitating autoantibodies against purified rat liver ribosomes. Ribosomal antigen is also present in rabbit thymus cellular extract (RTE), since the same sera gave precipitin lines against RTE in identity with ribosomes. Immunofluorescent staining was completely inhibited by serum absorption with ribosomes or with RTE. However ribosomal RNA and RNase or trypsin-treated ribosomes failed to react with these autoantibodies as demonstrated in immunoabsorption and immunodiffusion studies. These data suggest that these sera contain autoantibodies directed against some antigenic site composed of a portion of both RNA and ribosomal protein. Ribosomal autoantibodies were detectable at a low frequency in SLE patients characterized by an active disease and renal involvement.

Antigens↗
PubMed1984

Plasma ACTH-response to the corticotropin releasing factor in patients with Cushing's disease. Comparison with the lysine-vasopressin test.

In three female patients with Cushing's disease, 100 micrograms of synthetic ovine corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) were administered before surgery and 1 week after transsphenoidal microadenomectomy. In these patients a test with lysine-vasopressin (LVP), 10 U intramuscularly, was also performed before and after pituitary surgery. Before surgery, both stimuli induced a clear increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol in all patients; the response of ACTH to CRF was of greater magnitude. Postoperatively, the responses were virtually absent in two patients, but were still present in the third one in whom the removal of adenoma had been partially unsuccessful. The CRF test was also performed in a female patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal adenoma; in this patient no responses of plasma ACTH and cortisol to CRF were recorded. This paper demonstrates that pituitary microadenomas causing Cushing's disease may retain the ability to respond to CRF; this stimulus may be useful in the differential diagnosis between ACTH-dependent and independent Cushing's syndrome; the lack of response after microadenomectomy indicates successful removal of the tumor. CRF is more potent than LVP in releasing ACTH at the doses employed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1984

Abnormalities of in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) were studied for their ability to differentiate into cells containing cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (Ig) and to synthetize Ig after in vitro pokeweed mitogen activation. EMC lymphocytes showed a significant defective differentiation and Ig synthesis compared to normal controls. Coculture experiments carried out mixing enriched normal T- and EMC B-cell suspensions, and vice versa, showed that (a) the EMC B-cell-defective Ig synthesis still persisted after removal of suppressor activity by irradiation, both with autologous and with normal allogeneic T suspensions and (b) EMC T cells displayed a less efficient activity in helping Ig production by normal B lymphocytes. A comparable, reduced response was also found after activation with Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I. Taken together these results seem to indicate that in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia an impaired T-cell helper activity coexists with a B-lymphocyte impairment. The significance of these abnormalities in the pathogenesis of EMC is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Grass pollen immunotherapy: a single year double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with grass pollen-induced asthma and rhinitis.

Fifteen grass pollen--sensitive asthmatic patients were selected from 200 patients with grass pollenosis on the basis of positive SPTs and RASTs that were restricted to grass pollens (except Bermuda grass), no previous IT, and residence and occupation in an area monitored by serial pollen counts. They underwent a double-blind trial of specific IT with a mixture of three grass pollen--aqueous extracts (velvet, sweet vernal, and timothy) or placebo. After 10 mo, the mean maintenance dose of pollen extract (assayed by RAST inhibition) in eight actively treated patients was 6000 RAST units (range 3000 to 8000) and the mean total dose was 18,700 RAST units (range 10,200 to 30,000). Results were assessment done by the following clinical and immunological data: (1) during the pollen season, daily symptom scores; (2) PD 20% FEV1, IgE antibody to timothy by RAST in serum and in nasal secretions, serum IgG antibody to purified timothy allergen D by solid-phase radioimmunoassay, and the four IgG subclass antibodies by enzyme immunoassay were all measured before treatment and before and after the pollen season. Symptom scores of both treated patients and controls correlated with pollen counts (R = 0.88, p less than 0.05 and R = 0.71, p less than 0.05, respectively). There was a significant difference between the mean symptom score values of treated patients versus controls (Kruskal-Wallis test, p less than 0.001). No significant differences or changes either in the PD 20% FEV1 or IgE antibody to timothy in serum and nasal secretions were found in the two groups before or after IT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Plasma of normal, but not atopic persons reducing basophil degranulation induced by anti-IgE.

The response to anti-IgE serum of basophils from allergic and normal persons in the presence of whole plasma or as washed cells in Tyrode solution was examined to detect any inhibiting activity of human plasma. A factor reducing the potential of anti-IgE serum to degranulate basophils was present in plasma of normal but not of allergic persons. It is considered that this property of plasma could contribute to homeostatic control in immediate hypersensitivity.

Adult↗