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Biomedical subjects

C Zanussi

Publications and source records attributed to C Zanussi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Neutrophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (NCF-A) release in aspirin-induced asthma.

Neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) following oral challenge with aspirin (ASA) was determined in ASA-intolerant asthmatic subjects, and in ASA-tolerant asthmatic and normal subjects. There was a statistically significant fall in FEV1 and a rise in NCA (P less than 0.01) following challenge in the ASA-sensitive subjects compared with that of the ASA-tolerant subjects and normal controls. No significant difference was observed between the latter two groups. The chemotactic factor identified in this study had a molecular weight greater than 150 000 which is consistent with NCF-A (neutrophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis). The ASA-induced fall in FEV1 and rise in NCA was further studied in three of the ASA-intolerant asthmatic subjects, with and without pretreatment with inhaled sodium cromoglycate. In these subjects, the drug inhibited both the oral ASA-induced bronchoconstriction and the increase in neutrophil chemotactic activity. These results suggest that ASA-induced asthma involves mediator release from mast cells, as shown by the increase in NCA following ASA challenge and the protective effect of sodium cromoglycate which is considered to inhibit mast-cell degranulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Altered expression of B lymphocyte surface immunoglobulins in minimal change nephrotic syndrome and focal glomerulosclerosis.

In 20 patients with nephrotic syndrome (10 minimal change glomerulonephritis, MCN; 10 focal glomerulosclerosis, FGS) the peripheral blood lymphocytes showed a statistically significant increase in IgG-bearing cells (SIgG-C) in comparison with 30 patients with other histological types of primary glomerulonephritis with and without nephrotic syndrome (14 and 16, respectively). In the same MCN and FGS patients the serum IgG levels were slightly decreased. Furthermore, 5 cases of MCN in sustained remission for 1 year after steroid therapy showed normalization of the SIgG-C and the serum IgG levels. The possible significance of these phenomena in the pathogenesis of the hypo-IgG-globulinemia in MCN and FGS is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Gonadotropin response to gonadotropin releasing hormone in acute schizophrenia.

To evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in acute schizophrenia, plasma FSH and LH concentrations were estimated both in basal conditions and after stimulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH, 200 micrograms i.v.) in 14 young male patients with acute schizophrenia and in a age-matched group of 14 healthy male controls. Basal plasma PRL and testosterone levels were also measured. The mean basal levels of LH and FSH were slightly lower in schizophrenics, while the mean testosterone and prolactin levels were similar in the two groups. The FSH response to GnRH was significantly reduced in patients with acute schizophrenia, while the response of LH was similar in schizophrenics and in the controls. The possible significance of these findings is discussed in the contest of the complex neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin secretion and the overactivity of dopaminergic systems in acute schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

[Generalized and persistent lymphadenopathy in drug addicts: clinical and epidemiological aspects].

Persistent unexplained lymphadenopathy with intermittent fever, weight loss, night sweats and malaise was observed in the period from March 1983 to April 1984 in 66 intravenous drug addicts living in Milan. A high percent of these subjects showed cellular immunity alterations, with significant decrease of total lymphocyte count (p less than 0.001) and of OKT4+ cells (percent and absolute number) (p less than 0.001) OKT8+ cells were augmented in percent, but not in absolute count. OKT4/OKT8 cell ratio were inverted, with significant reduction versus the healthy controls (p less than 0.001). IgG mean concentrations were significantly higher than the normal (p less than 0.001). Anergy or hypoergy to recall skin testing were evidenced in 58/66 patients. Cases of persistent unexplained lymphadenopathy associated with abnormalities of cellular immunity are considered as a possible prodrom of AIDS and were frequently observed in high risk populations. The occurrence of this clinical syndrome in a urban area may be premonitory of further progression to the epidemic. It will be necessary to assess whether this clinical and immunological picture will result in some of these patients in full blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

HLA antigens and the reactivity of lymphocytes to some drugs and PHA.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 15 healthy subjects, selected on the basis of their HLA types, were cultured in vitro in the presence of PHA and of a number of drugs which bind adrenergic or dopaminergic receptors (dopamine, norepinephrine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, propranolol and apomorphine). The results obtained are consistent with an interference between HLA-A1 and cross-reacting specificities and the effect explained by these drugs on the lymphocyte activation by PHA. The possibility is suggested that HLA-A1 and cross-reacting antigens interfere with the binding of such drugs to the cell membrane receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Clinical significance of specific IgE determination on nasal secretion.

The clinical use of RAST on the nasal secretions was investigated in seventeen atopic patients, with asthma or rhinitis, who had shown at a first diagnostic screening, some difficulties in the identification of the responsible allergen(s). The results of the skin tests, of the RAST on the serum and on the nasal secretions and of the specific provocation test (bronchial or nasal) were compared. In some cases the basophil degranulation test was performed. The results of the RAST on the nasal secretions were in perfect agreement with the provocation test. The skin tests and the RAST on the serum showed many discrepancies, particularly for Dermatophagoides, epidermal derivatives of cat and dog and moulds, and less frequently for Graminaceae and other pollens. It is concluded that RAST analysis on nasal secretions is useful in clinical diagnosis of allergy especially for Dermatophagoides, epidermal derivatives and moulds. Most false positive results were observed with the RAST on serum; in fifteen cases it was positive, while all the other tests, basophil degranulation test included, were negative. The data suggest that IgE may have a low affinity for basophil receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Secondary and essential cryoglobulinemias. Frequency, nosological classification, and long-term follow-up.

The clinical and immunochemical classification of 166 patients with cryoglobulinemia are presented. 52% of the cryoglobulins were detected in patients hospitalized because of various causes. The most frequent association was with liver and lymphoproliferative diseases (in particular with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia); two thirds of the patients with liver diseases presented with a purpura-arthralgia syndrome, and the hepatic involvement was only brought to evidence by subsequent laboratory investigation. The presence of cryoglobulins did not usually interfere with the clinical course of the basic condition. In 79 patients the cryoglobulinemia was considered idiopathic. In order to study the natural course of the disease in the idiopathic cases, a group of 35 patients had been followed up for 8-17 years: 37% developed a membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis, and more than half died of renal insufficiency; in 11% cirrhosis was diagnosed after a period of 4-9 years; another 11% developed a lymphoproliferative disease; of the remaining 40%, 2 are still asymptomatic, and the others are affected by purpura-arthralgia syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström: characterization of circulating immune complexes.

Circulating immune complexes were detected in the sera of 7 patients with hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström by the following methods: KgB-SP, mRF-LIA, Cc test, ClqBA. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed intermediate complexes between 7S and 19S (16S-19S); simple immunodiffusion of the complexes, purified by 2.5% PEG precipitation, revealed the presence of IgG3, IgA, IgM, Clq, C3 and C4. Constant high titers of rheumatoid activity in the sera in toto and after purification, and normal serum complement levels were also detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Con A suppressor cell assay: a further characterization.

Con A induced suppressor cell assay was further characterized in this study. Significant lower mitogenic responses of autologous fresh cells cocultured with Con A-activated cells were found when compared with the response of cocultures of responders plus control cells preincubated in medium alone. However, Con A-activated cells did not express a real suppression, since no difference was found between responses of fresh responders alone and responses of cocultures with Con A-activated cells. So, Con A activation seemed to block the expression of the enhancement provided by control cells to autologous responders, rather than to induce a real suppressor activity. The induction of the Con A suppressor cell activity required cell proliferation but it was not proportional to the degree of DNA synthesis. Monocyte depleted cell populations exhibited lower Con A suppressor cell activity compared to unfractionated cells, suggesting a cooperative role of monocytes in the Con A induction step. The expression of this activity was not due to a cytotoxicity against the responders and was dependent on the number of activated cells added. Mononuclear cells from active lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, but not from inactive SLE patients differed from normal controls in showing a significant loss of suppression index.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Prophylaxis of adverse reactions to foods. A double-blind study of oral sodium cromoglycate for the prophylaxis of adverse reactions to foods and additives.

Twenty-four adult patients with adverse reactions to foods and food additives took part in a double-blind crossover study to compare the efficacy of oral sodium cromoglycate, 1600 mg daily, with placebo. Duration of treatment was eight weeks. There were statistically significant differences (p less than 0.01) in favor of active treatment as assessed by patients' diary card scores during the last week of treatment. Few side effects were observed. Oral sodium cromoglycate appears to be both effective and well tolerated in the treatment of food allergies, particularly when used in conjunction with a maintenance elimination diet.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Basophil activation in idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia.

We studied basophil activation in patients affected by idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia in order to investigate the role of the basophil cell in the pathogenesis of the vasculitis typical of this disease. We selected 13 patients and we performed the in vitro basophil degranulation test with cryoprecipitate; in 5 cases the test was positive when it was performed in whole blood, while it was negative when it was performed with cells washed and resuspended in Tyrode's buffer. In 6 subjects it was not possible to perform the test because of the very low number of circulating basophil cells. Finally, in 2 subjects the in vitro basophil degranulation test with cryoprecipitate was negative; this result may be related to the very low levels of complement factors in the sera of these subjects. These findings suggest that the pathogenetic mechanism of vasculitis in idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia could be started by basophil activation.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

MLC-specific suppressor T lymphocytes in man. I. Their induction in vitro by soluble HLA-DR antigens.

Human T lymphocytes precultured for 36 hr in the presence of soluble HLA-DR antigens suppress the MLR response of autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes to allogeneic stimulating cells. The suppression is DR antigen-specific in that it appears that the MLR stimulating cell donor and the soluble suppressor-inducing antigen must share DR specificities. The soluble DR antigens were fractionated from the sera of normal donors using QAE-Sephadex chromatography and CNBr-activated Sepharose immunoadsorption. Similarly prepared HLA-A and -B antigens failed to induce suppressive activity. The suppressive activity of DR-antigen cultured T cells is resistant to mitomycin C treatment and, further, the antigen specificity is maintained with or without mitomycin C treatment. The kinetics of suppressor cell induction as well as the kinetics of suppression in the test MLR cultures are presented. The implications of these results are discussed.

Adult↗