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Biomedical subjects

D Biasi

Publications and source records attributed to D Biasi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Oral immunotherapy in oculorhinitis from Gramineae].

We have evaluated the efficacy of oral immunotherapy in 34 patients affected by seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen. Diagnosis was performed on the basis of medical history, Skin Prick Test and Rast and the mean duration of the disease was 6 years. The treatment started in November and consisted of increasing daily doses of allergen; when the maximum dose was reached, it was continued twice a week till April. After two years of treatment we observed a statistically significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms considered and in the amount of oral antihistamines taken during the pollen season. The treatment was well tolerated and patients did not experienced any adverse effect. We therefore conclude that oral immunotherapy is a valid alternative to traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

[Nedocromil sodium nasal spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of nedocromil sodium 1% nasal spray in 29 patients (14 males and 15 females, mean age 23 years) who had been suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Parietaria for at least three years. Diagnosis was based on medical history, skin prick test and RAST. Nedocromil sodium was given for 4 weeks in May, at the dosage of 4 mg, 4 times a day in each nostril. On a daily diary card patients had to record both the severity of symptoms following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3 and the possible presence of side effects. After 4 weeks of treatment patients obtained a statistically significant improvement of the symptoms considered (p < 0.001). No side effects have been reported and no other drugs have been necessary to control the symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Nedocromil sodium as a topical treatment of allergic conjunctivitis due to grasses].

Thirty-two patients (20 males and 12 females, mean age 31 ys) with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis to grass pollen, were selected for this study. Nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution was given at the dosage of 1 drop four times a day for four weeks during the month of June. On a daily diary card each patient had to report the severity of the symptoms: itchy eyes, lacrimation, red eyes and photophobia, following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3 (0 = no symptom, 1 = mild, 2 = medium, 3 = severe). After four weeks of treatment we observed a statistically significant improvement of the symptoms considered. Patients did not take other medications and did not report any side effects. Nedocromil sodium is therefore a valid alternative in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis to grass pollen.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Effects on fibrogenesis markers of rheumatoid arthritis therapy with methotrexate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of 2 serum markers of hepatic fibrogenesis, aminoterminal peptide of type III procollagen (NPIIIP) and laminin P1 fragment (Lam), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at baseline and after one year of low dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy. METHODS: Serum levels of NPIIIP and Lam were measured in 20 patients, 17 women and 3 men, mean age 48.83 +/- 9.25 yrs. before and after MTX treatment and compared to levels from 20 sex and age matched, healthy controls. RESULTS: The baseline values of NPIIIP was higher in patients than in controls; it normalized after MTX treatment. The Lam level did not differ between patients and controls; moreover, it did not change after treatment. CONCLUSION: Low dose MTX therapy does not increase serum indicator levels of hepatic fibrogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Efficacy of levocabastine in perennial rhinitis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of topical levocabastine in 42 patients (20 males and 22 females; mean age 37.5 yrs.) affected by perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Diagnosis was performed on the basis of clinical history, Skin Prick test and RAST. The study lasted for 90 days and nasal spray levocabastine was administered at the dose of 2 puff in each nostril twice a day. Patients had to record the severity of the symptoms considered (sneezing, nasal pruritus, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea) on a diary card according to an arbitrary score from 0 to 3. At the end of the treatment patients experienced a significant improvement of their symptoms and no side effects were recorded. On the basis of our results levocabastine can be considered a useful drug in the treatment of allergic rhinitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1996

Parvovirus B19 infection and rheumatic diseases.

We reviewed the literature on relationships between human parvovirus B19 infection and rheumatic diseases. Parvovirus B19 causes erythema infectiosum in childhood, transient anemia in immunocompetent individuals, and potentially severe infections in fetuses; laboratory evidence that the virus is directly responsible for these disorders has been obtained. Acute arthropathy meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and disorders meeting some of the classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus are the most striking rheumatic manifestations of parvovirus B19 infection. Purpuric lesions have also been reported. Parvovirus B19 infection may be capable of inducing a number of manifestations that have not yet been described in the literature. Although the relationship between human parvovirus B19 infection and rheumatic diseases has been the focus of many studies, compelling evidence that the virus is directly involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases has not yet been obtained.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

[The effect of formoterol on light or moderate bronchial asthma due to allergy to Parietaria officinalis].

We have evaluated the effect of formoterol in 28 patients (20 males and 8 females, mean age 25.4 years) affected by mild or moderate bronchial asthma due to Parietaria allergy. Inhaled formoterol was given at the dosage of 24 mg twice a day for 10 weeks during the pollen season. Patients had to record daily the peak respiratory flow, the severity and the number of asthmatic attacks and the severity of cough. Moreover they had to report the use of additional bronchodilators and the possible side effects. The treatment with formoterol obtained in increase of PEF values from 254 +/- 6.1 to 329 +/- 6.1 l/min in the morning and from 237 +/- 7.1 to 365 +/- 7.1 l/min in the evening. A significant improvement on the number of asthmatic attacks and on the cough was also obtained. No side effects have been reported. Our results show the safety and the efficacy of formoterol in the treatment of mild or moderate bronchial asthma.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Anticentromere antibody--clinical associations. A study of 44 patients.

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features of 44 patients with anticentromere antibody (ACA) positivity. We undertook a retrospective review of 44 ACA-positive patients (1 male and 43 females with a mean +/- SD age of 53.6 +/- 12.2 years). There were 25 patients with limited systemic sclerosis, 12 with Raynaud's disease, 2 with Sjögren's syndrome, 2 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 3 with polyarthritis. ACA was more frequently found in patients affected by limited systemic sclerosis with mild visceral involvement and in patients with Raynaud's disease. Moreover, ACA was detected in other connective tissue diseases that were characterized by an atypical autoantibody profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Correlations between the intensity of fMLP-dependent respiratory burst and cellular fatty acid composition in human neutrophils.

The peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from a group of normal subjects and their fatty acid composition determined by capillary gas-chromatography. The superoxide (O2-) release by the same cell preparation in response to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was also determined following cytochrome c reduction in a microplate assay. A strong negative correlation was found between C18:2 (linoleic acid) (r = 0.703, P = 0.001) and C:16:0 (palmitic acid) (r = 0.569, P = 0.009) and fMLP-stimulated O2- release, whereas C20:4 (arachidonic acid) correlated positively (r = 0.448, P = 0.048). Other fatty acids, namely C12:0, C14:0, C16:1, C18:1, C18:3, C18:4, C20:0, C20:1, C20:2, C20:5, C22:0, C22:1, C22:6, C24:0 and C26:0, were not correlated with O2-. No correlations were found between fatty acid composition and O2- release from resting cells and from cells stimulated by phorbol-myristate acetate. These results suggest that the fatty acid composition of blood neutrophils may be a critical factor determining the capability of releasing free radicals in response to formylpeptides. Moreover, since a concomitant increase of arachidonic acid and decrease of its precursor linoleic acid has been found in high-responsive neutrophils, the rate of the enzymes of the arachidonic acid biosynthetic pathway (elongases and desaturases) appear to play an important role.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1995

[Scleroderma induced by chemical agents. Description of a case and review of the literature].

The authors describe a case of a 24 years old man affected by eosinophilic fasciitis likely due to chemical exposure. The patient handled and inhaled a compound containing sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydrate and cationic surface agents. The clinical picture was characterized by sudden onset, oedema and pain on the limbs; laboratory tests revealed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 55 mm/hour, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and eosinophilia. The histologic examination of a deep musculo-cutaneous biopsy showed an infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and macrophages localized in the fascia and in the muscle; skin and subcutaneous tissue turned out normal. Corticosteroid treatment (prednisone at the starting dosage of 30 mg/day) produced the healing of the disease in 5 months. Afterwards the authors reviewed the literature about the different expressions of scleroderma that can be caused by chemicals; the most famous example is the "Spanish toxic oil syndrome". Various compounds were associated with development of scleroderma: plastic materials, solvents, silica powder, drugs, silicone prosthesis; the list will lengthen with reference to use of new products. It was hypothesized that the generation of free radicals was the common mechanism through which different aetiological agents can provoke scleroderma in genetically predisposed individuals. In these subjects free radicals can cause either direct tissue damages (endothelial lesion, thickening of intimal layer, fibrosis) and autoimmune phenomena.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Latex allergy].

In 1979 the first case of contact urticaria to rubber gloves was reported in a patient with a positive skin prick test to latex. The use of articles containing rubber is widespread and this can explain the increasing frequency of allergic reactions to natural rubber latex. The symptoms may be localized like contact urticaria or systemic like angioedema, generalized urticaria or anaphylactic shock. In this study we have considered 12 patients who presented clinical manifestations after direct contact with objects containing rubber. Three patients had eczema and pruritus after the use of household gloves, 4 subjects had lips and tongue oedema following the contact with rubber tube during a dental treatment, 5 patients suffered from urticaria and pruritus during the use of surgical gloves. Generalized angioedema was also present in 4 out of 12 patients. All the patients had positive Skin prick test and Rast to latex. Three out of 12 patients were atopic. Our study confirms the increasing frequency of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to latex. This phenomenon must be taken into account especially before surgery, since severe clinical manifestations such as anaphylactic shock may occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of senile onset with methotrexate].

Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis is a not rare disease with relevant social implications. The most important question is represented by the therapeutic choice, in relation to the typical problems of the elderly patients and to the frequent coexistence of other diseases. In this work, we evaluated the practicability and the efficacy of methotrexate therapy, at the dose of 5 mg/week, in 27 patients affected by elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis (mean age 73.76 +/- 3.39 years, range 70-83). Low dose prednisone was associated in order to control painful symptoms. Also sulindac was allowed. Frequent clinical and hematochemical controls were made in order to precociously evaluate the appearance of side effects. All the 27 patients completed the first year of treatment; during this period there was no drop out. Sixteen patients finished the second year too; during this year one patient dropped out because of significant hypertransaminasemia and another patient did not respect the follow-up. Clinical and hematochemical parameters were monitored. A significant improvement of all data was observed from the third month. A further amelioration was recorded in the following months. Our data suggest the efficacy and the safety of low dose methotrexate in the treatment of elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis. A careful evaluation of side effects is obviously necessary.

Aged↗