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Biomedical subjects

D Torre

Publications and source records attributed to D Torre.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Alternate cryogens for cryosurgery.

There is need for a storable cryogen suitable for use in dermatological cryosurgery as an alternate for the standard nonstorable cryogen now used (liquid nitrogen). Argon gas was tested and found satisfactory, but has not proved to be commercially feasible. Nitrous oxide apparatus is now available but is of limited usefulness. Various freons (fluorinated hydrocarbons) present possibilities for our use. Although they are incapable of producing the degree of cold and depth of penetration attainable with liquid nitrogen apparatus, they can be used to treat the vast majority of lesions now treated by cryosurgery in an office-based dermatological practice. Freons 12, 22 and 13, alone or mixed with other gases, have been tested. Freon 22 seems the most practical for general dermatologic cryosurgery. Although these gases are considered relatively non-toxic, at this time we really do not know their total noxious capabilities.

Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A review of cardiovascular complications accompanying AIDS.

Manifestations of cardiovascular system involvement are not uncommon complications of HIV infection, especially in AIDS patients. However, the frequency of these manifestations is influenced by different variables including: survival prolongation in HIV-infected patients, because of advances in antiretroviral treatment; improvement of immunodepression and reduction in the occurrence of opportunistic infections; adverse effects of some drugs. At present, on the whole cardiovascular complications that are HIV correlated in the western world, including Italy, occur less frequently than in the past. However complications associated with alterations in lipometabolism prevail because they can be promoted by some protease inhibitors in predisposed subjects. The most frequently reported questions and a careful analysis of recent data in the medical literature regarding the most common HIV-correlated cardiovascular complications are discussed in this review.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A review of HIV-1 Tat protein biological effects.

The authors have reviewed some biological properties of HIV-1 Tat protein, and have also reported some personal data. This viral regulatory protein is endowed with multifunctional activities, acting as an endogenous factor in the infected cells and exogenously, on those uninfected. In particular, Tat-induced proliferation and differentiation of HIV target cells which promotes viral infection, is discussed in this review. However, exogenous Tat protein can sometimes also produce, directly or indirectly, damaging effects in different organs and host systems, such as myocardium, kidney, liver and central nervous system (CNS). For example some data also demonstrate an increase in the apoptotic index induced by Tat at various levels, including the immune system. The effective role of HIV-1 Tat protein in promoting viral replication and its high immunogenicity suggest useful employment of this protein for therapeutic or preventive vaccine preparations.

Gene Products, tat↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Levels of nitric oxide, gamma interferon and interleukin-12 in AIDS patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis.

The production of nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages is important for the killing of intracellular pathogens, such as Toxoplasma gondii. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide stimulate NO production. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of NO, IFN-gamma and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the host immune response in AIDS patients suffering from toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE). It was demonstrated that the production of NO, detected as nitrite/nitrate in the sera and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 32 AIDS patients with TE, was normal. In addition, levels of IFN-gamma in the sera and in the CSF of patients with TE were not increased. In contrast, serum levels of IL-12 in these patients were significantly increased (6.5 +/- 7.1 pg/ml; P = 0.0368), compared to the control patients (1.7 +/- 3.5 pg/ml). Furthermore, increased but not significant levels of IL-12 were also observed in the CSF of patients with TE (2.2 +/- 4.7 pg/ml; controls: 0.5 +/- 1.9 pg/ml). The results of this study indicate that reactivation or recurrence of T. gondii infection in HIV-1-infected patients is probably due to a down-regulation of IFN-gamma along with a resulting non-optimal NO activity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Meningoencephalitis caused by human herpesvirus-6 in an immunocompetent adult patient: case report and review of the literature.

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is the etiologic agent of roseola infantum, and has been implicated as a possible cause of encephalitis in pediatric and adult patients. A case of meningoencephalitis in an otherwise healthy, immunocompetent 59-year-old woman is described. The diagnosis of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis was confirmed by detecting viral DNA in cerebrospinal fluid collected in the acute stage of the disease by polymerase chain reaction. The patient was treated with acyclovir and recovered without any sequelae. The current knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical course and outcome of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent adult patients is also reviewed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Levels of circulating nitrate/nitrite and gamma interferon not increased in uncomplicated malaria.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide (NO) activity in patients with uncomplicated malaria. Lipopolysaccharide and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) are potent inducers of NO by inducing production of NO synthase. NO activity was determined by measuring serum levels of nitrite/nitrate (metabolic end products of NO), and IFN-gamma in patients with uncomplicated malaria, mostly caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Neither serum levels of nitrite/nitrate nor of IFN-gamma were significantly increased in patients with uncomplicated malaria, especially in patients with P. falciparum infection, and in those with high parasitaemia. These results show that NO cannot play a role in uncomplicated malaria, and it is still debatable if NO production in this infection has beneficial or detrimental effects.

Adult↗