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Biomedical subjects

E Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to E Ferrari.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Rapid decrease of serum endothelin-1 levels after treatment with ACE inhibitors in chronic cardiac failure].

Circulating endothelin-1, a very strong peptide vasoconstrictor first discovered in 1988, is raised in cardiac failure. This increase contributes to the deleterious effects of cardiac failure. Although specific anti-endothelin drugs are under development in this condition, the effects of more commonly used drugs on circulating endothelin-1 levels are not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ACE inhibitor therapy on plasma endothelin-1 levels in cardiac failure. The plasma endothelin-1 levels were measured in 24 patients (stages III and IV of the NYHA classification), before and after treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (Captopril: test doses, then 75 mg/day). A control group of 10 paired patients was used to shake off the effects of bed rest and hospital salt-free diet. The initial endothelin-1 levels were high but equivalent in the control and study groups: 9.13 +/- 1.87 fmol/mL vs 8.98 +/- 1.92 fmol/mL. Plasma endothelin-1 decreased significantly in the study group 72 hours after beginning ACE inhibitor therapy (7.44 +/- 1.95, p < 0.02) but remained higher than normal (p < 0.01), whereas the values in the control group remained the same. This study demonstrates a decreases in plasma endothelin-1 levels 72 hours after onset of ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with stable severe cardiac failure. This results, already suggested by many experimental studies and certain ancillary clinical trials, could explain some of the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Electrolytes and cognitive function in the elderly: relationship between serum sodium and chloride concentrations and psychometric test scores.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that nutritional status and CNS functions are closely related. Malnutrition leads to an impaired cognitive performance, and mental disturbances may be responsible for alterations in eating behaviour. The correlation between nutritional and cognitive status seems to be even closer in the elderly because of the higher incidence of neuropsychic syndromes and malnutrition. METHODS: Given this background, we set up this study in order to correlate cognitive status (investigated using the Mini-Mental State Examination--MMSE--and the Geriatric Depression Scale--GDS) and various biochemical nutritional indicators (serum electrolytes, albumin, transferrin, erythrocytes, lymphocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total proteins) in 82 apparently healthy elderly people (mean age +/- SD 87 +/- 6). RESULTS: Our data demonstrated a correlation between the MMSE score (26 +/- 2) and Na (138.1 +/- 3.0 mmol/L, r = -0.66, p < 0.001) and Cl (102.4 +/- 4.5 mmol/L, r = -0.62, p < 0.001) serum electrolytes, but no correlation with the other nutritional data. The demonstrated relationship does not appear to be causal because Na and Cl are chemically and physiologically linked. CONCLUSIONS: These correlations underline the relevance of the correct intake and metabolism of electrolytes for functional CNS activity in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The complete genome sequence of the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis is the best-characterized member of the Gram-positive bacteria. Its genome of 4,214,810 base pairs comprises 4,100 protein-coding genes. Of these protein-coding genes, 53% are represented once, while a quarter of the genome corresponds to several gene families that have been greatly expanded by gene duplication, the largest family containing 77 putative ATP-binding transport proteins. In addition, a large proportion of the genetic capacity is devoted to the utilization of a variety of carbon sources, including many plant-derived molecules. The identification of five signal peptidase genes, as well as several genes for components of the secretion apparatus, is important given the capacity of Bacillus strains to secrete large amounts of industrially important enzymes. Many of the genes are involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics, that are more typically associated with Streptomyces species. The genome contains at least ten prophages or remnants of prophages, indicating that bacteriophage infection has played an important evolutionary role in horizontal gene transfer, in particular in the propagation of bacterial pathogenesis.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1997

Circadian secretory pattern of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor type I, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin during HIV infection.

The circadian rhythms of plasma growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I), cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin (PRL) were evaluated in 13 HIV-seropositive patients (8 males and 5 females; mean age [+/-SD], 30 +/- 5 years), classified as CDC C2. Sixteen clinically healthy subjects (9 males and 7 females; mean age [+/-SD], 32 +/- 8 years) were chosen as control group. Samples were taken every 4 hr from 04:00 to 20:00 and every 2 hr from 20:00 to 04:00. Plasma GH was evaluated by IRMA procedure, plasma IGF-I by RIA (after separation of soluble IGF-I from IGF-I-binding proteins, using acid-ethanol extraction), plasma cortisol by a solid-phase RIA, plasma ACTH by double-antibody RIA, and serum TSH and serum PRL by a solid-phase two-site fluoroimmunometric assay. Rhythmometric data were analyzed by single and population mean cosinor analysis; the comparison of the parameters of the rhythm between patients and controls was carried out by the mesor test and the amplitude-acrophase Hotelling test. Alterations of the circadian pattern of GH, IGF-I, cortisol, ACTH, TSH, and PRL were demonstrated in HIV-seropositive patients. In fact, the circadian profiles of these hormones were clearly flattened and no statistically significant 24-hr rhythm was detectable (with the exception of cortisol). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that alterations of the circadian temporal structure may already be present in HIV-seropositive patients without wasting and infectious complications.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1997

A comparison of low-molecular-weight heparin with unfractionated heparin for acute pulmonary embolism. The THESEE Study Group. Tinzaparine ou Heparine Standard: Evaluations dans l'Embolie Pulmonaire.

BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparin appears to be at least as effective and safe as standard, unfractionated heparin for the treatment of deep-vein thrombosis, but only limited data are available on the use of low-molecular-weight heparin to treat acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism. METHODS: We randomly assigned 612 patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism who did not require thrombolytic therapy or embolectomy to either subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (tinzaparin) given once daily in a fixed dose or adjusted-dose, intravenous unfractionated heparin. Oral anticoagulant therapy was begun between the first and the third day and was given for at least three months. We compared the treatments at day 8 and day 90 with respect to a combined end point of recurrent thromboembolism, major bleeding, and death. RESULTS: In the first eight days of treatment, 9 of 308 patients assigned to receive unfractionated heparin (2.9 percent) reached at least one of the end points, as compared,with 9 of 304 patients assigned to low-molecular-weight heparin (3.0 percent; absolute difference, 0.1 percentage point; 95 percent confidence interval, -2.7 to 2.6). By day 90, 22 patients assigned to unfractionated heparin (7.1 percent) and 18 patients assigned to low-molecular-weight heparin (5.9 percent) had reached at least one end point (P=0.54; absolute difference, 1.2 percentage points; 95 percent confidence interval, -2.7 to 5.1). The risk of major bleeding was similar in the two treatment groups throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, initial subcutaneous therapy with the low-molecular-weight heparin tinzaparin appeared to be as effective and safe as intravenous unfractionated heparin in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Effects of the sinR and degU32 (Hy) mutations on the regulation of the aprE gene in Bacillus subtilis.

The aprE gene of Bacillus subtilis codes for the serine alkaline protease known as subtilisin. Its expression is regulated by a complex network of activators and repressors that includes the products of hpr, degU and sinR. In order to understand the effect of these gene products on subtilisin expression, strains carrying combinations of the degU32(Hy), hpr2 and sinR null mutations, were constructed. We found that in all the genetic backgrounds tested, the sinR null mutation decreased aprE expression. Also, by measuring alkaline phosphatase synthesis and the formation of heat-resistant spores, as indicators of sporulation, we found that some of the mutant strains showed alterations in the sporulation process. These results suggest that these alterations are partially responsible for some of the observed changes in aprE expression.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1997

Regulation of DNA metabolic enzymes upon induction of preB cell development and V(D)J recombination: up-regulation of DNA polymerase delta.

Withdrawal of interleukin-7 from cultured murine preB lymphocytes induces cell differentiation including V(D)J immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and cell cycle arrest. Advanced steps of the V(D)J recombination reaction involve processing of coding ends by several largely unidentified DNA metabolic enzymes. We have analyzed expression and activity of DNA polymerases alpha, beta, delta and epsilon, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), topoisomerases I and II, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and DNA ligases I, III and IV upon induction of preB cell differentiation. Despite the immediate arrest of cell proliferation, DNA polymerase delta protein levels remained unchanged for approximately 2 days and its activity was up-regulated several-fold, while PCNA was continuously present. Activity of DNA polymerases alpha,beta and epsilon decreased. Expression and activity of DNA ligase I were drastically reduced, while those of DNA ligases III and IV remained virtually constant. No changes in DNA topoisomerases I or II expression and activity occurred and TdT expression was moderately increased early after induction. Our results render DNA polymerase delta a likely candidate acting in DNA synthesis related to V(D)J recombination in lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Expression of a lipocalin in Pichia pastoris: secretion, purification and binding activity of a recombinant mouse major urinary protein.

The proteins of the mouse major urinary protein complex (MUP), members of the lipocalin family, bind volatile pheromones and interact with the vomeronasal neuroepithelium of the olfactory system. We report the expression of a MUP protein using its native signal sequence for secretion in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris. Mature recombinant MUP (rMUP) is secreted at a concentration of 270 mg/l in minimal medium and it is isolated from the culture supernatant by one step ion-exchange chromatography in a nearly pure form. Binding activity, tested with an odorant molecule which displays high affinity for native MUP, indicates that rMUP has a behavior similar to the native one. This finding suggests that the protein, and in particular its hydrophobic binding pocket, is properly folded.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1997

Altered oxidative stress in healthy old subjects.

To understand the magnitude of oxidative phenomena during senescence, we evaluated, as antioxidant, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocytes and plasma uric acid (UA) levels together with the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma, as an index of lipid peroxidation, in 46 apparently healthy elderly subjects (87 +/- 6 years old; mean +/- SD), and 49 young subjects (29 +/- 4 years old). The elderly subjects had lower erythrocyte GSH-Px activity (15.7 +/- 4.8 vs 20.2 +/- 7.0 U/g Hb, p < 0.001; mean +/- SD) and plasma UA levels (192 +/- 46 vs 240 +/- 54 mmol/L, p < 0.001), but higher MDA levels (5.3 +/- 0.8 vs 4.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/L, p < 0.001) than the young subjects. Of additional interest was the finding of a positive correlation between age and erythrocyte GSH-Px activity (r = 0.74, p < 0.001), and a negative correlation between age and plasma MDA levels (r = -0.83, p < 0.001) in the elderly group. Although erythrocyte (GSH-Px activity was significantly less in the elderly than in the young group, the oldest subjects showed the greatest erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and had lower MDA levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Menstrual cycle and ovary alterations in women with epilepsy on antiepileptic therapy.

Impaired reproductive function is thought to frequently affect women with epilepsy, mainly when seizures originate in the temporal lobe. In this study, we evaluated menstrual cycle features and assessed ovulation by determining luteal progesterone (Pg) levels in 101 consecutive women with epilepsy (36 with idiopathic generalized epilepsy -IGE; 65 with partial epilepsy -PE), aged between 16 and 50 years, treated with various antiepileptic drugs (AED). PE originated in the temporal lobe (TLE) in 40 subjects, in the frontal lobe in 13, in the parietal lobe in 2, while the origin of focal seizures remained undetermined in 10 patients. In all patients, menstrual and reproductive history, body mass index, hair distribution and hormonal pattern were assessed. Suprapubic ovary ultrasound (US) examination was carried out in 83 patients (28 with IGE, 55 with PE). Three patients with IGE and one with PE were amenorrheic. Oligomenorrhea occurred in 16 patients, polymenorrhea in 2. Changes in menstrual cyclicity were independent from epilepsy type (19.4% in IGE; 23.1% in PE) and from origin of focal discharges (22.5% of patients with TLE; 20.0% with origin in other brain areas). Luteal Pg levels remained below 2 ng/ml in 30 patients independently of epilepsy type. Corpus luteum dysfunction was combined with hyperandrogenism in 15 of these patients. In the other cases different alterations of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis were observed. Valproic acid blunted luteal Pg surge more frequently than other AED. Polycystic ovaries (PCO) were observed in 14 (16.9%) patients (21.0% with IGE: 14.5% with PE). These prevalences are not higher than those reported in the general population. Among PE patients, PCO was found in 1 case with undetermined focal origin and in 7 TLE cases, who also had ovary volume significantly larger than patients with seizures originating from the frontal or parietal lobe. Epileptic women exhibited an increased occurrence of multifollicular ovaries (MFO) found in 12 cases (14.4% vs 5% in the general population). However, no defined hormonal or clinical pictures were associated with this US alteration in most patients. These findings reappraise the impact of ovary alterations in women mainly affected by mild to moderate epilepsy, on differing AED regimens, with the exception of more frequent ovulatory dysfunction and PCO occurrence in patients taking VPA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Retrospective analysis of long-term hemorheologic effects of pentoxifylline in diabetic patients with angiopathic complications.

Blood rheology alterations have often been reported in diabetic patients and may be associated with an increased risk for diabetic vascular disease. In this light a hemorheologic approach with pentoxifylline has been suggested in diabetic patients with hemorheological changes in order to improve the hemorheology approach and to evaluate the long-term effects of this treatment on the other clinical and metabolic variables. The study concerned a 10-year retrospective analysis of diabetic patients with hemorheologic alterations and angiopathic complications. Pentoxifylline (Trental 400) significantly reduced blood and plasma viscosity (at high and low shear-rates), fibrinogen and erythrocyte aggregation, and increased erythrocyte filterability throughout the study. The improvement of the hemorheologic pattern was obtained independently of the variation in glycometabolic control and body weight changes, whereas concomitant reductions of arterial blood pressure levels and of urinary excretion of albumin and total proteins was observed during the treatment. Pentoxifylline might therefore be successfully employed for long-term periods in the treatment of hemorheologic disorders in diabetic patients without effects on the metabolic pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

SCH 43478 and analogs: in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of novel agents for herpesvirus type 2.

SCH 43478 and analogs are a class of non-nucleoside antiviral agents that have potent and selective activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The IC50 for these compounds in plaque reduction analysis using Vero cells ranges from 0.8 to 2.0 microg/ml. All compounds have a LC50 > 100 microg/ml in cytotoxicity analysis. Mechanism of action studies suggest that these molecules have an effect on the transactivation of viral immediate early (alpha) gene expression. Time of addition studies indicate that antiviral activity of these analogs is limited to the initial 2-3 h after infection and is not due to inhibition of viral adsorption or penetration. Analysis of HSV protein expression demonstrates that SCH 49286 inhibits the accumulation of viral immediate early (alpha) gene products. SCH 43478 demonstrates statistically significant efficacy (P < 0.05) in the guinea pig genital model of HSV infection. Following subcutaneous administration in a therapeutic treatment regimen, SCH 43478 (90 mg/kg/day) is efficacious in reducing the number and severity of lesions and the neurological complications of acute HSV infection. Thus, SCH 43478 and analogs are anti-herpesvirus agents with a unique mechanism of action.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1997

Indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy. ICG angiography in CSC.

PURPOSE: To analyse images obtained by indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Ninety patients affected with CSC were examined using indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: CSC was detected in 127 of the 180 eyes examined. Leakage points were detected in 99 eyes with fluorescein angiography; in 85 of these eyes, they corresponded to hyperfluorescence with indocyanine green angiography, while a hyperfluorescence of the neuroepithelial detachment was seen in 21 eyes. Areas of choroidal hyperpermeability were seen in all 127 eyes with CSC and in 9 fellow eyes. With ICG angiography, the appearance of pigment epithelial detachments was similar to that previously described (early hyperfluorescence and later hypofluorescence), and was seen in 47 eyes. In 103 eyes, hypofluorescent lesions of various sizes, were detected which became more marked in the later stages. These lesions corresponded to retinal pigment epithelium lesions in fluorescein angiography, mainly hyperfluorescence caused by window defect. We were also able to observe RPE atrophic tracts in 31 eyes. These tracts appeared hyperfluorescent in 11 eyes where a minimal amount of RPE atrophy was present and hypofluorescent in 20 eyes in which the tract had marked RPE atrophy. CONCLUSION: The results obtained confirm the finding of choroidal hyperpermeability and subretinal diffusion of ICG, which indicate involvement of the choroid in CSC. The observation of progressively hypofluorescent lesions corresponding to retinal pigment epithelium alterations suggests that there may be as yet unknown interactions of pigment epithelium and ICG.

Adult↗