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Biomedical subjects

D Testa

Publications and source records attributed to D Testa.

116 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Centronuclear myopathy with unusual mitochondrial abnormalities.

The case of a 34-years-old man is described with a progressive myopathy characterized by limb weakness and atrophy, involvement of facial, masticatory and extraocular muscles. The prominent features of the muscle biopsy were the presence of centrally located nuclei in most fibers. There was also an atrophy and predominance of type I fibers. Both clinical and morphological features were consistent with the diagnosis of centronuclear myopathy. Electron microscopic studies showed the presence of mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions near the centralized nuclei but not in the subsarcolemmal position. This hitherto unreported feature led the authors to re-evaluate the hypothesis on the pathogenesis and the nosological classification of this myopathy.

Adult↗

[Immunological changes in diabetes mellitus. Study of lymphocyte populations].

In view of some data of the literature suggesting that immunological changes could play a role in the pathogensis of diabetes mellitus and of its complications, we carried out a study of the lymphocyte populations of 44 diabetic subjects by means of E, EA, EAC rosettes and membrane immunofluorescence. A quarter of the patients had decreased E rosettes: all of these had long-lasting, insulin-dependent, poorly controlled diabetes. Some of these patients had also increased membrane IgG globulins. In 5 patients with recent onset, insulin-independent diabetes, E rosettes were increased. No significant changes of EA and EAC rosettes were observed. These findings suggest that changes of lymphocyte populations do not play any role in the pathogenesis of diabetes, while these may be the consequence of the metabolic disorder and these may favour the onset of complications of the disease.

Adult↗

[Immunity and neoplasms. Behavior of E rosette-forming lymphocytes in patients with malignant neoplasms].

The per cent and absolute figures of E rosette forming lymphocytes have been evaluated in the blood of normal subject and of patients with non-neoplastic diseases and with epithelial and lymphoreticular tumours. The percentage of rosetting lymphocytes was not affected by non-neoplastic diseases, whilst it was by tumours, especially by lymphoreticular ones. However differences were not statistically significant in view of the large dispersion of values. Absolute counts of rosetting lymphocytes displayed lesser variations. These findings are better explained by Schwartz's concept of immunoregulation than by Burnet's theory of immunosurveillance.

Adolescent↗

[Immunopathological characteristics of the lymphocytes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, fractionated on gradients of various densities].

Spontaneous rosettes and membrane immunofluorescence for the various classes of heavy and light immune globulin have been determined on lymphocyte subfractions obtained from the blood of 6 normal subjects and 16 patients with CLL by separation on gradients of various density. Whereas in the normal subject lymphocyte immunological features proved similar in all fractions, in CLL they presented significant differences from fraction to fraction, with the presence only in certain fractions of the lymphocyte peak with monoclonal membrane immune globulin and without peak coincidence for IgD and IgM, probably as a result of changes in the physico-chemical features of the lymphocytes occurring during maturation. All fractions presented a sizeable complement of lymphocytes not forming rosettes and without demonstrable membrane immune globulins. The correlation between the behaviour of membrane labels and lymphocyte morphology, stage, duration and course of the disease has been analysed. The variability in lymphocyte subfraction characteristics separable at different densities may explain discrepancies of findings in researches carried out in lymphocytes that separate only at gradient of density 1077.

Aged↗

Hemiballism in a patient with probable multiple system atrophy.

We report a patient with long-standing asymmetrical parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia and dysautonomia, suggestive of multiple system atrophy (MSA). However, the patient also developed involuntary repetitive movements similar to ballic dyskinesias and mental deterioration. MRI revealed major involvement of both posterior fossa structures and basal ganglia. The case would be accommodated within a rubric of MSA widened to include involvement of the subthalamic nucleus and the medial part of the pallidum, pathology which may account for the ballic movements. Additionally the patient's cognitive and behavioural disturbances suggest an impairment of striato-prefrontal cortex loop.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

Extravasation of liposomal daunorubicin in patients with AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: a report of four cases.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To report on four patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma who were treated with liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome, NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Dimas, CA) as part of phase I/II and phase III clinical trials and who experienced extravasation during IV infusion. DATA SYNTHESIS: All patients were treated with ice as an immediate intervention. In addition, two patients received treatment with multiple subcutaneous injections of steroids. Two patients experienced erythema, swelling, and pain after the extravasation. Two patients who were treated aggressively reported erythema and swelling without pain. Three patients observed changes in the texture of their skin that was accompanied by decreased sensation, which developed after 8-16 weeks. These changes completely resolved in all patients receiving intervention after six months. None of the patients suffered tissue necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Extravasation with liposomal daunorubicin is notable for the absence of tissue necrosis that typically is observed with anthracyclines. Long-term effects were limited to skin discoloration and decreased sensation, both of which resolved in all patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The lack of observed skin necrosis with daunorubicin suggests a treatment advantage with a reduction in the required aggressive extravasation procedures for free anthracyclines as well as increased safety for the patient. Additional data is needed to confirm these observations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗