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Biomedical subjects

D Biasi

Publications and source records attributed to D Biasi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Effectiveness of oral immunotherapy in bronchial asthma caused by Dermatophagoides pternyssinus].

We have evaluated the efficacy of oral hyposensitivization in 14 patients suffering from bronchial asthma due to allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The allergen extract was taken in increasing doses and the maximum dose was maintained for the duration of the study (two years). Oral treatment was effective in reducing the number and severity of asthma attacks (p < 0.001) and in improving the respiratory peak flow (p < 0.001). No side effects were observed and all the patients concluded the study. Our results show the efficacy and safety of oral hyposensitization in the treatment of bronchial asthma due to allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Oral therapy avoids the side effects of desensitizing injections which can be serious.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Studies of skin-window exudate human neutrophils: complex patterns of adherence to serum-coated surfaces in dependence on FMLP doses.

Human neutrophils were isolated both from peripheral blood (PB) and from aseptic inflammatory exudates obtained by the Senn's skin-window (SW) technique. The respiratory burst (O2- release) and the adherence to serum-coated wells of culture microplates was investigated using a simultaneous assay. Unstimulated PB resting neutrophils did not produce a significant amount of O2- and were incapable of adhering to serum-coated plastic surfaces, while unstimulated SW neutrophils showed augmented adhesion to serum-coated culture wells. SW neutrophils were primed to enhanced FMLP-dependent O2- release in response to n-formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP). Adhesion of SW neutrophils was significantly decreased by addition of low doses (10(-10)-10(-8) M) of FMLP (from 17.1% to 8.4%, P < 0.01, N = 12), while fully activating doses (> 5 x 10(-8) M) of FMLP induced a marked increase of the cell adhesion, more pronounced in SW (39.2%) than in PB cells (27.2%). Low (5 x 10(-9) M) and high (5 x 10(-7) M) FMLP doses induced morphological changes (polarization) and actin polymerization in the neutrophils from both sources. Biphasic dose-response curves of SW neutrophil adherence were observed using FMLP, but not using concanavalin A or phorbol myristate acetate as stimulatory agents. Therefore, the adherence of SW cells appears to be regulated in a complex fashion, nonlinearly dependent on the chemotactic peptide doses and specifically regulated according to the receptors involved.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1994

Cyclosporin in Behçet's disease: results in 16 patients after 24 months of therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cyclosporin in Behçet's disease. Sixteen subjects (10 males and 6 females; mean age 25.2 years) affected by the complete type of Behçet's syndrome received 5 mg/kg/day of cyclosporin for 24 months. A marked improvement of the symptoms was observed after three months of therapy. Within 6 to 12 months of treatment 14 of the 16 patients obtained a complete clinical remission. Biochemical and immunological parameters were controlled periodically to evaluate the clinical response and the possible side-effects. Two patients dropped out of the study because of anaemia and renal dysfunction, which returned to normal when cyclosporin was withdrawn. Our results confirm the efficacy of cyclosporin in the treatment of Behçet's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Increased in vitro neutrophil adherence in a case of chronic idiopathic neutropenia.

In this report we describe a patient with persistent neutropenia whose neutrophils showed increased adhesion in a microplate assay. In three separate assays, from 12.5% to 13.7% of the patient's blood neutrophils exhibited spontaneous (unstimulated) adhesion to fetal bovine serum-coated microplate wells, much higher than adhesion of cells from healthy controls (1.9% +/- 2.5 SD, n = 20). The difference of spontaneous adhesion between the patient's and control neutrophils was even higher when cells from a skin-window exudate were examined (patient: 42.1-100% adhesion; control: 3.6% +/- 3.5 SD, n = 20). Over 80% inhibition of the increased adhesion was produced by the 60.3 anti-CD 18 monoclonal antibody, suggesting an involvement of beta 2-integrins.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of a new locally acting preparation of flurbiprofen in scapulohumeral periarthritis.

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was carried out to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a new, locally acting, transcutaneous flurbiprofen preparation (flurbiprofen LATTM, Boots Company PLC) in the treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis. The new preparation consists of a nonwoven polyester patch supporting a mentholated formulation containing flurbiprofen 40 mg. Eighty patients suffering from the acute, painful phase of scapulohumeral periarthritis entered the trial, three of which failed to provide follow-up data. Each patient applied one patch every 12 hours for the 14 day trial period. Efficacy was assessed in terms of reduction of pain, improvement in shoulder movement and overall clinical assessment of the severity of the condition after treatment. Statistically significant improvements from baseline were observed in both treatment groups, with a constant overall trend in favour of flurbiprofen. The differences between the two treatment groups, however, did not reach statistical significance.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

[The efficacy of nedocromil sodium in light or moderate allergic bronchial asthma].

Inhaled nedocromil sodium was administered 4 times a day for 8 weeks to 34 patients (20 males and 14 females) with mild to moderate allergic asthma to grass pollen. The study was conducted during the pollen season and patients were allowed extra medication only with beta 2 adrenergic drugs. On a diary card patients had to report daily variation of peak expiratory flow rate, severity and number of asthma attacks, severity of cough and use of bronchodilators. At the end of the study we observed a statistically significant improvement of all the parameters considered. No side effects were reported. Nedocromil sodium is therefore a useful and safe drug for the treatment of mild and moderate allergic asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

[Rheumatological manifestations following hepatitis B vaccination. A report of 2 clinical cases].

In the literature there are a few occasional case reports of rheumatic manifestations following vaccination. The link between vaccination and musculoskeletal complaints was established on the grounds of the chronological succession between the two events. The occurrence of an individual genetic predisposition has been stressed many times. With regard to immunopathological mechanisms, it has been proposed the vaccination as a trigger of a very autoimmune disease or an immune complex-induced disease. In this paper we describe two females who underwent vaccination against hepatitis B virus. One complained of polyarticular pain that, even if self-limiting, was accompanied by the positivity of RA-test and Waaler-Rose reaction; the other showed migratory arthritis, urticaria and oedema of the glottis and the upper lip, all successfully treated with a short course of corticosteroids. We think these reports are of interest at the time when vaccination against hepatitis B virus is becoming a mass practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Efficacy of salmeterol in patients with allergic bronchial asthma].

Inhaled beta 2-agonists play a central role in the treatment of acute bronchial asthma. A new long-acting beta 2-receptor agonist has recently become available: salmeterol. It improves FEV 1, has an antiinflammatory effect on bronchial airways, provides a strong protection against histamine-and allergen-triggered bronchoconstriction, thus leading to better control of asthmatic symptoms during day and night. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of salmeterol in 22 patients with allergic bronchial asthma. Our results show that inhaled salmeterol (50 micrograms twice daily) can successfully control diurnal and nocturnal asthmatic attacks and can induce an important increase of PEFR. During the study no further treatment with bronchodilator drugs was necessary.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

C3 nephritic factor and SLE: report of four cases and review of the literature.

We present four patients with C3 nephritic factor associated with partial lipodystrophy and/or mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis type II. Each of these patients subsequently developed features of SLE, with an onset between 2 and 24 years after the development of the lipodystrophy or glomerulonephritis. All four patients had antinuclear antibodies and three of the four had anti-Ro antibodies. These patients bring to six the number of reported cases of this association. Possible explanations for the link between these two conditions are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Safety of azithromycin in patients allergic to penicillin and cephalosporin].

We have evaluated the safety of a new antibiotic, azithromicin, in 48 patients with allergy to penicillin and/or to cephalosporin. Diagnosis of allergy was based on clinical history, skin test and detection of serum specific IgE. The most common symptoms were urticaria, oedema, pruritus, oral aphthosis. Azithromicin was administered at the increasing dosage of 100-200-300 and 400 mg every 2 days. Our patients did not show any reaction to azithromicin. This antibiotic is therefore a valid alternative to penicillin and/or cephalosporin in patients allergic to these two drugs.

Azithromycin↗
PubMed1994

[The efficacy of long-term specific immunotherapy for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with atopic dermatitis].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyposensitization therapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus vaccine in patients with moderate and severe atopic dermatitis and sensitization to house mite dust. We studied 32 patients who showed strongly positive Skin Prick Test and high levels of circulating specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. All the patients were treated with sodium alginated dialyzed allergenic extract (Bayropharm, Milan), realized by increasing progressively subcutaneous injections for three years. Erythema and lichenification were monitored. The Skin Prick Test positivity and serum level of specific and total IgE were measured before and after the treatment. We divided our subjects in two groups on the basis of presence or absence of respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis and asthma. All the patients showed substantial improvement of the cutaneous lesions and respiratory symptoms. Analysis of specific circulating IgE and Skin Prick Test showed significant tendency to normalization. The total IgE serum level showed no significant difference. Our results showed a definite benefit from a DPT hyposensitization regime in patients with atopic dermatitis and sensibilization to house mite dust.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Current trends in the specific immunotherapy for allergic syndromes due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus].

House dust mites of the species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are among the most prevalent perennial allergens. Measurement of allergen exposure is so crucial to establish the natural history of the allergic reaction. The most common clinical manifestations induced by Dermatophagoides are perennial asthma and perennial rhinitis. Recently there are a number of studies indicating that a high degree of exposure to house dust mites may represent a risk factor for severe disease in patients with atopic dermatitis. The diagnosis was performed by in vivo and in vitro tests. Nowadays the treatments regard allergen eradication and specific immunotherapy. Mite specific immunotherapy is only effective under optimal conditions, including an appropriate selection of patients and the use of high-quality standardized extracts. The specific immunotherapy received by subcutaneous injection is the one mostly used until now and the results were really satisfactory, even if its evaluation has been made on clinical data or on bronchial challenges. Immunologic changes were found only when using same extracts. The incidence of systemic reactions during the immunotherapy was low. Recently local immunotherapy was used and it has been shown to be significant by safety, but further clinical investigations are needed to clarify the clinical efficacy in direct comparison with traditional parenteral immunotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[The efficacy of cyclosporin for topical use in oral lichen planus].

Oral lichen planus is a disease characterized by long symptomatic phases unresponsive to the usual therapy. Many groups have used different drugs in the treatment of lichen planus: topically applied retinoic acid, temarotene, antimycotic agents corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, with unsatisfactory results. Recently it has been suggested that topical cyclosporine might improve the lesions of oral lichen planus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of this therapy in our patients. Fourteen patients, 6 males and 8 females, mean age 47 years, with oral lichen planus were enrolled in the study. All the patients were instructed to swish 5 ml of solution (500 mg) of cyclosporine in the mouth three times a day for three months. Clinical evaluation was performed before therapy and every two weeks afterwards. At each visit serum levels of cyclosporine, creatinine, total and direct bilirubin and complete blood count were performed. No side effects or blood test alterations were detected in any patient and cyclosporine serum level was always undetectable. Symptoms and oral lesions had a beneficial effect already after one month of therapy. Our results confirm that cyclosporine is useful in the treatment of oral lichen planus.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

[The involvement of the sacroiliac joints in rheumatoid arthritis. A retrospective radiographic study].

The frequency and type of involvement of the sacroiliac joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a controversial issue. In this study we compared sacroiliac plain radiographs of 120 RA patients and 106 age and sex-matched primary osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Nobody had a history of low back pain. On the basis of the radiologist's report, sacroiliac alterations were found in 24 (20.0%) RA patients (subchondral sclerosis in 20, joint space narrowing in 2, bone erosions in 1 and bone ankylosis in 1) and in 13 (12.3%) OA patients (subchondral sclerosis in all). Neither the frequency nor the radiographic pattern of alterations were significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that radiographic changes of the sacroiliac joints in RA are mostly of degenerative nature not differing from those found in a OA control population.

Adult↗