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Biomedical subjects

D Caputo

Publications and source records attributed to D Caputo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

2 [(methylsulfinyl) acetyl] pyridine (Oxisuran): a new immunosuppressive agent in EAE.

The authors discuss the effects of a new immunosuppressive agent on the development of EAE. Animals (albino rabbits) were inoculated with an encephalitogenic emulsion, according to Kies' method, whereas a control group was inoculated by a physiological saline solution. Some animals were treated by Oxisuran in the first day after challenge; some others after initial symptoms (18th day). Thirty days after challenge, the animals were sacrificed. No toxicity was found in thoracic and abdominal structures neither in blood count. Pharmacological effectiveness of Oxisuran is well documented either in pretreatment or in therapy; the course was positively influenced in animals, when treated after the appearance of initial symptoms.

Animals

Heterogeneity of human T lymphocytes to bind sheep red blood cells in multiple sclerosis patients and controls.

The present studies were performed as a result of the report that the human T-cells may be composed of heterogeneous subpopulation in the sense of their ability to bind SRBC. In this paper, the diversity of human peripheral lymphocytes in M.S. patients, other neurological diseases and controls were investigated by means of an interesting approach based on the heterogeneity of humnan T-lymphocytes examined by the rosette formation of SRBC (E rosette) in two different reaction media.

Animals

E-UFA test in multiple sclerosis.

Field et al. have recently suggested a blood test for multiple sclerosis based on determination of the absolute electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes alone and in the presence of linoleic acid (LA) or arachidonic acid (AA). We attempted to reinvestigate this phenomenon in an Italian population.

Arachidonic Acids

Study of the relationship between rubella virus and encephalitogenic factor in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

The Authors research in the sera of 30 rabbits affected by E.A.E. the connection between encephalitogenic factor and rubella virus. They dose the antibodies against rubella virus and encephalitogenic factor before the challenge by BP, after 15 days and after 30 days. While in the first control no response either to the virus or to BP was evidenced, in the two following controls, the sera of the rabbits recognized immunologically both rubella virus and the myelinic components.

Animals

Clinical picture of multiple sclerosis with late onset.

A group of 47 patients (multiple sclerosis (M.S.) diagnosed according to Schumacher's criteria) with age at onset over 40 years, was studied by statistical analysis and compared with a control group (100 M.S. patients with onset between ages 18 and 38). The following features appear peculiar in this group: --the most frequent initial symptoms are motor disturbances --the onset is generally monosymptomatic --the course is generally progressive and more severe than that of controls, as seen by Kurtzke's Disability Scale, relapse rate, interval between first and second attack --the course is more severe when the onset is progressive and characterized by motor disturbances.

Adult

HLA-A3 linked C3 deficiency in multiple sclerosis.

Many workers claim variations in quantity of functional activity of several components in the complement system in M.S. patients. Studies were performed in 58 M.S. patients, typing for HLA-SD specifities and C'3 complement component. We have been able to confirm a significant correlation between the hypocomplementaemic group (31.03%) with HLA-A3. In this connection we present some considerations on complement system and M.S.

Complement C3

Study of serial lymphocyte subsets in multiple sclerosis: their possible role in the evaluation of disease progression.

We followed-up 30 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) for one year recording monthly: clinical evolution, neurological examination and T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood recognized by monoclonal antibodies. Although clinical relapses could not be strictly associated with lymphocyte abnormalities in all cases, the parallel clinical-immunological survey permitted to correlate significantly the type of clinical course (chronic-progressive, relapsing, stable) with a correspondent immunological pattern (steadily high, transiently high, steadily normal CD4/CD8 ratios respectively). Our results suggest a possible role of serial lymphocyte subsets analysis in defining evolution of MS.

Adult

Multimodality evoked potentials and disease progression in multiple sclerosis monitoring: 18 month follow-up of 36 patients.

Serial visual, brainstem auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials have been recorded in 36 MS patients. The follow-up lasted 18 months. A correlation among neurophysiological modifications and clinical status of the tested pathways was inconstantly found. At the end of the study responses at the three modalities worsened in a higher percentage of progressive patients with respect to stable ones (in 41% instead of 11% of cases). Final latencies were more delayed in progressive that in stable cases.

Adolescent

[Oral contraception and multiple sclerosis].

The uncertain question of the use of oral contraceptives by women with multiple sclerosis is discussed. Reference is made to results observed in animals with experimentally induced allergic encephalitis subjected to oestroprogestin management. The course of M.S. during pregnancy is examined and the effects of blood lipid changes produced by oestrogens and progesterone, on the assumption that M.S. is due to a deficiency of unsaturated fatty acids. Lastly, attention is directed to interference with immunity, clotting, and platelet changes, these being factors in the spread off the disease. The data point to a protective rôle on the part of oestrogens, while the picture for progesterone is less conclusive. It would seem that these biological and immunological findings justify the use of oral contraceptives in subjects with M.S., though due caution is imposed by the absence of clinical and epidemiological data.

Blood Coagulation

[Biochemical aspects of lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis].

The biochemical features of lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis are discussed and the contribution made by work on the aetiopathogenesis of the disease is illustrated. Reference is made to diagnostic tests (E-UFA and MEM tests), whose premisses are based on lipid metabolism. A link between biochemical and immunological research in this field is put forward.

Arachidonic Acids

Electrophysiological tests and CSF examination in patients with optic neuritis.

Electrophysiological tests (visual and somatosensory evoked potentials, flicker fusion test) and electrophoretic examination of cerebrospinal fluid were performed in 17 patients who previously suffered from one or more attacks of optic neuritis. The association of the tests revealed the demyelinating inflammatory pathogenesis in eight cases. In the remaining nine cases the CSF oligoclonal pattern was absent. The evidence that a bilateral delayed VEP, suggesting a subclinical contralateral involvement of optic pathways, could be related to multiple sclerosis, is discussed. A case was finally ascertained as being affected by Leber's optic atrophy.

Adolescent