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Biomedical subjects

D Roccatello

Publications and source records attributed to D Roccatello.

108 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

IgA1 and IgA2 in circulating immune complexes and in renal deposits of Berger's and Schönlein-Henoch glomerulonephritis.

IgA subclasses in circulating immune complexes (IgA1IC), serum immunoglobulins and mesangial deposits in Berger's and Schönlein-Henoch glomerulonephritis (GN) were studied. Both IgA1IC and IgA2IC were significantly higher in Berger's and Schönlein-Henoch GN than in healthy people. In phases of clinical activity both IgAIC subclasses further increased. The IgA1/IgA2 ratio was found not to differ from controls in either groups of patients. An increase in polymeric IgA was observed in Berger's and in Schönlein-Henoch GN. Both IgA subclasses were found in mesangial deposits.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1983

Interaction between the macrophage system and IgA immune complexes in IgA nephropathy.

In nine patients with IgA nephropathy, the function of the mononuclear phagocyte system was assessed by measuring in vivo clearance of anti-D coated red blood cells (RBC) and in vitro phagocytosis of sensitised RBC by monocytes. A strict correlation was found between in vivo macrophage function and in vitro monocyte phagocytosis. Statistical correlations were also found between in vivo clearance values and IgAIC and C3d values. A defective macrophage and monocyte function affects patients with major signs of clinical activity, highest IgAIC values, signs of complement activation and the most unfavourable clinical course.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1981

Effects of blood transfusion on cellular immunity.

To evaluate the effect of transfusion on immunity, 14 uraemic patients treated with 3 blood transfusions from a single donor, at weekly intervals, were studied: in 5 cases HLA-A,B were compatible, in 9 cases they were not. As markers of cellular and humoral immunity DNCB, PPD skin tests, spontaneous and active E-rosettes, EAC-rosettes, surface membrane immunoglobulins, C3, C4, C3d, serum immunoglobulins, circulating immune complexes and C-reactive protein were investigated. This protocol was applied before transfusions, 1 week after each transfusion (day +7, +14, +21) and 20 weeks later (day +80). Before transfusions 8/14 patients were DNCB negative; both spontaneous and active E-rosettes were below normal range. The other parameters were normal. On day +7 T and B lymphocytes were increased, while the other parameters were unmodified. On day +21 there was a significant reduction (p less than 0.5) in T lymphocytes in patients treated with compatible transfusions. On day +80 3/3 DNCB positive patients, treated with compatible transfusions, became negative and 1/3 DNCB positive patients, treated with random transfusions, also became negative. Three/fourteen patients showed a decrease in B lymphocytes. The other results were unchanged. Our preliminary results suggest that transfusions, either from an HLA compatible donor or not, can impair lymphocyte function.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of gluten-derived fractions on chemiluminescence production by human neutrophils.

The effects of gliadin and glyc-gli on leukocyte chemiluminescence response were assessed in vitro. A dose-dependent increase in chemiluminescence response of neutrophils stimulated by zymosan was observed by using gliadin at concentrations ranging between 1 and 20 micrograms. By increasing glyc-gli concentration, a bimodal response was observed with an enhancement up to 50 micrograms/ml, followed by suppressive effects, which were again dose-dependent. The possible implications of these findings in human pathology are discussed.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A solid phase enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of urinary albumin and the detection of microalbuminuria.

A test for the measurement of trace urinary albumin concentrations, which is suitable for the detection of microalbuminuria, was developed. The technique is an indirect enzyme-linked assay (ELISA) in which a fixed amount of anti-albumin antibody is placed into polystyrene tubes coated with human albumin, together with the urine sample to be tested. The albumin in the test specimen competes with the solid-phase albumin for binding to the added antibody. The test is precise (inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 8.2% and 7.8%, respectively), accurate (mean recovery 102-106% for two human albumin preparations), and sensitive (detection limit 0.9 micrograms/ml). These characteristics are not dissimilar from those of the radioimmunoassay reported in the literature, with the advantages of being completely safe, easy to perform, and not requiring expensive equipment. Using this assay the urinary albumin excretion in 20 normal subjects was found to be 2.5 +/- 2.2 micrograms/min (range 0.9-7.5 micrograms/min) after 8 hours of bed rest and 4.5 +/- 5.7 micrograms/min (range 1.5-2.0 micrograms/min) after 8 hours of moderate physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Activation of neutrophil oxidative metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass with membrane oxygenators.

Neutrophil oxidative metabolism was prospectively assessed in 9 consecutive patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenators for open cardiac operations. Blood samples were collected at 10, 20, and 30 min of CPB. The generation of oxygen-free radicals by neutrophils was measured as luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence after stimulation with opsonized Zymosan and Phorbol Myristate Acetate. A significant increase in light emission was detected by using both the chemiluminescence stimulators. These data suggest that the contact of patient blood with foreign surfaces during cardiopulmonary bypass results in activation of phagocyte cells.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-GM1 and anti-sulphatide antibodies in systemic idiopathic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed cryoglobulinaemia: Serum detection and clinical and electrophysiologic correlations].

BACKGROUND: In the last two decades increasing interest has been focused on the association between autoimmune polyneuropathies and high titers of anti-nervous serum autoantibodies. High titer of IgG anti-GM1 antibody could be detected in Guillain Barre' syndrome and in chronic painful axonal sensory immune-mediated polyneuropathy. The possible occurrence of anti-nervous autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases not limited to the nervous system is still under study. METHODS: We evaluated 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 19 with biopsy-proven renal involvement, 28 patients with mixed IgM-K/IgG polyclonal cryoglobulinaemia (18 with glomerulonephritis) and 19 with small-sized vessel ANCA-associated vasculitis (12 with renal involvement) by using a sensitive immunoenzyme method of autoantibody detection. RESULTS: Compared to controls (1/176+/-1/205; 1:204+/-1:103), we found a significant increase in plasma IgM and IgG anti-GM1 titers (1:643+/-1:531; 1:444+/-1:309) in SLE patients (p<0.0001). We also found IgM (1:3032+/-1:2844) and IgG (1:1560) anti-sulphatide titers to be higher than the control group (p<0.0001). Mean plasma IgM and IgG anti-GM1 titers of the cryoglobulinaemic patients were 1:524+/-1:403 and 1:501+/-1:415, respectively, once again higher than the controls (p<0.0001). Mean plasma IgM and IgG anti-sulphatide titers in this group were 1:1864+/-1:1189 and 1:1350 (p<0.0001). We found idiopathic systemic vasculitis patients to have significantly increased levels of anti-sulphatides IgG class autoantibodies (1:1400; p<0.0001). We found no correlation with the serologic markers for vasculitis or the clinical or histologic extent of renal involvement. Electrophysiologic studies revealed that in 38% of SLE patients (p<0.005), 61% of cryoglobulinaemic patients (p<0.01) and 42% of ANCA-related vasculitic patients (p<0.01) the abnormal titers of antineuronal antibodies were associated with clinical or subclinical evidence of neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with systemic idiopathic or secondary vasculitis anti-GM1 and anti-sulphatide antibodies can frequently be found. Their presence should prompt an accurate neurological examination because these serologic abnormalities are significantly associated with neurologic, often subclinical, involvement. Antineuronal reactivity might be the epiphenomenon of primary phylogistic damage, which exposes normally segregated neuronal epitopes or be directly involved in triggering neurological injury.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of food antigens and alcohol in idiopathic nephritis with IgA deposits].

It is generally thought that antigens inducing the formation of IgA immune complexes in primary IgA nephropathy and responsible for mesangial immune deposits are of infectious and alimentary origin. To investigate the possible role of alimentary antigens in eliciting the IgA mucosal immune response we studied the reactivity and the formation of mesangial IgA deposits in rodents following different experimental conditions: a) on gluten-free diet and oral immunization with gliadin; b) on gluten and soya free diet and oral immunization with soya; c) on chronic alcoholic intoxication. We found that oral immunization with gliadin induced the formation of mesangial deposits of IgA similar to those observed in human primary IgA nephropathy. On the contrary, oral immunization with soya failed to induce the formation of similar immune deposits even though the lectin components in soya and in gliadin are similar. Chronic ethanol intoxication induced an increase in serum IgA against alimentary antigens suggesting an increase in intestinal permeability due to alcohol. Mean times we observed significant IgA mesangial deposits. Our experimental data suggest that alimentary antigens can play a significant role in inducing primary IgA nephropathy.

Alcoholism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of corticotherapy in the treatment of idiopathic glomerulonephritis].

Corticosteroids have multiform effects on traffic and functional capabilities of inflammatory or immunologically reactive cells, on various soluble factors, vascular and tissue responses. There is a different sensitivity of various populations and subpopulations of cells to the corticosteroid modulation. These mechanisms are still under discussion, but the final effects appear to support the use of corticosteroids in a number of idiopathic glomerulonephritis (GN). In the minimal change GN the 10 years after onset survival was not significantly increased by introducing corticosteroids, but the prompt disappearance of proteinuria (80% of adults by 8 weeks in our own series) supported their use. The problem of corticosteroid treatment in the focal sclerosing GN is complicated by the probable coexistence of two histologically undistinguishable forms (one of the these nonsteroid sensitive). In our own series the corticosteroid response, although transient, was present in 44% of 16 patients. We obtained a high number of total remissions (57%) and partial remissions (14%), in membranous GN, where the conflicting data of the literature suggest differences in the criteria of selection and admission of patients to corticosteroid treatment, calling attention to further controlled trials. In rapidly progressive GN the combined use of corticosteroids, immuno suppressants and heparin has elicited a stabilization or improvement of renal function in 40% of the treated patients. By the same treatment we observed a total remission in 19% and a partial remission in 62% of severely nephrotic patients with histological appearance of membranoproliferative GN characterized by massive subendothelial deposits of the early complement fractions (C1, C4). Although it is impossible to draw firm conclusions both on pathogenesis of idiopathic GN or on the biochemical, cellular and tissue effects of corticosteroid, these drugs appear sometimes effective in clinical practice.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Semeiotic significance of the clinical use of methods of determining serum immunocomplexes in human glomerulonephritis].

The application of tests for the determination of serum immune complexes in nephrology has supplied fresh pathogenetic and symptomatological information. An account is given of results obtained in primary and secondary glomerulonephritis using four methods; the solid-phase Clq test, the polyethylene glycol precipitation test, the immunofluorescence on polymorphonucleates tests, and the solid-phase conglutinins test (with anti-IgA antibodies). The results take on a symptomatological meaning in many classes of human glomerulonephritis, both in the differentiation of primary forms and those secondary to systemic diseases, and in prognosis. A critical review is made of the data obtained in a personal series in the light of a long-term follow-up. The limits and specificity of each test are also discussed.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute renal failure and multiple trauma].

Only recently the relationship between trauma and acute renal failure has been described on a rational basis. Shock is commonly a major pathogenetic factor in tubulo-interstitial damage often associated with other causes, such as toxic agents, toxins, immunologic and coagulation mechanisms. The Authors consider the various patterns of acute renal failure such as the "functional, tubulo-interstitial, cortical necrosis" and analyze the different etiopathogenesis. Finally they report the mortality rate of acute renal failure in S. Giovanni Hospital of Turin from 1969 to 1979.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hemofiltration: present and future].

Four thousand hemofiltrations have been performed in 22 patients with low tolerance to conventional hemodialysis (20 cases), and severe arterial hypertension (2 cases). In comparison with hemodialysis, hemofiltration had a low incidence of intradialytic collapses, vomit and cramps, and allowed a better state of well-being during interdialytic periods. In hypertensive patients hemofiltration has accomplished a better control of arterial pressure and pharmacotherapy has been reduced. In this study, we report the data concerning metabolism, electrolytes, acid-base balance during our experience utilizing bicarbonate in the replacement fluid. Our experience further supports the impression that hemofiltration may have some advantages in patients with low tolerance to conventional dialysis and/or severe dislipemia and hypertension. The possibility to reduce dialysis duration to 3 hrs, stimulates further application of this new treatment in a wider number of patients on RDT.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Regular dialytic treatment in the Piedmont region. Results and prospects].

The Piedmont planning for the prevention and treatment of chronic uremia started in 1976, with the purpose to extending full treatment of the whole region, through the development of home and self care dialysis and intensive use of hospital short dialysis. Hospital dialysis would be reserved either for new treatments or complicated or uncooperative patients. Thank to an intensive exploitation of the existing hospital centers, a 68.7% increment in the number of treated patients was achieved and costs were kept down to a limited acceptable range. With the development of home and self care dialysis, 27% of the patients were located in out-of-hospital centers, and 17% at home. The Piedmont planning concerned itself with the patients' data collected by the Regional Registry under the following items: a) characteristics of dialysis population; b) the present modes of treatment; c) the number of patients apt to varying treatments and renal transplantation; d) the epidemiology of uremia causing nephropathies. At the present time results are only preliminary. Nevertheless, the first observations showed a long and difficult work with good possibilities of success for computerized facilities in the field of dialysis, particularly in respect to regional areas which in the reformed Health Service are now considered to be operating as autonomous.

Adolescent↗