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Biomedical subjects

E Galli

Publications and source records attributed to E Galli.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Immune function in growth hormone-deficient children treated with biosynthetic growth hormone.

Conflicting data regarding the immune function in growth hormone (GH) -deficient children or changes in immune parameters during substitutive GH therapy have been reported. We have studied the immune function in 13 patients with GH deficiency before and during treatment with biosynthetic GH (12 IU/m2 body surface/week) after 6 and 12 months of therapy. We found that the absolute number of total T lymphocytes and T-cell subsets (using monoclonal Ab as markers), Natural Killer cell activity (target K562) and response of lymphocytes to polyclonal mitogens (PHA, ConA, PWM) were all in the normal range and remained so after 6 and 12 months of therapy. The absolute number of B lymphocytes was in the normal range before treatment and after 6 months of therapy but dropped significantly after 12 months of treatment. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) did not show a parallel drop and remained normal throughout the whole study. Our GH-deficient patients did not show any undue susceptibility to infections and our data thus seem to confirm that the immune function is basically intact in these children and that it is not suppressed by GH treatment. Although a drop in B lymphocytes was observed, the normal level of immunoglobulins and the normal functional response to PWM seem to demonstrate the maintenance of a normal humoral immune response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Continuous 24-hour intragastric pH monitoring. A new model of interpretation].

Using the study as a basis for a novel interpretation of the pH-metric curve, the paper reports the results of a study carried out in a sample group of 11 normo-secretory subjects (students from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery). The pH-metric curve was assessed over 24 hours using a portable pH measuring device.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Relative increase of T cells expressing the gamma/delta rather than the alpha/beta receptor in ataxia-telangiectasia.

In ataxia-telangiectasia, B-cell and T-cell deficiencies are thought to be due to a defect of rearrangements of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. T cells recognize antigens through two types of CD3-associated receptors: alpha/beta chains on mature cells and gamma/delta chains mostly on immature cells. We studied 10 patients with ataxia-telangiectasia and found that most had a relative increase of circulating T cells bearing gamma/delta receptors rather than alpha/beta receptors, as compared with normal subjects (P less than 0.001). Patients with other immune deficits, including eight with common variable immunodeficiency, one with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, two with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome, and one with severe combined immunodeficiency, had normal ratios of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing cells. A marked predominance of gamma/delta-bearing T cells was found in a patient with a primary T-cell defect. The relative increase in gamma/delta-bearing T cells in the patients with ataxia-telangiectasia was largely accounted for by cells that reacted with the monoclonal antibody BB3, an apparently distinct subset of T cells that selectively express the C gamma 1 gene product of the T-cell receptor. Although they had normal ratios of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing T cells, the patients with common variable immunodeficiency had a significant increase (P = 0.01) in the number of T cells expressing C gamma 2 that reacted with the monoclonal antibody delta-TCS-1. We conclude that the increased ratio of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing T cells in ataxia-telangiectasia may reflect both a recombinational defect that interferes with T-cell and B-cell gene rearrangements and an inability to repair damage to the DNA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Intrathecal synthesis of anti-HIV antibodies in AIDS patients.

We studied the production within the CNS of anti-HIV antibodies, of non-specific IgG, and the presence of HIV antigens in the serum and CSF of 28 HIV infected patients belonging to group IV in the Center for Disease Control classification. CSF and serum were diluted under optimal conditions to equalize their IgG content, to enable us to better interpret serum and CSF reactivity by means of Western blot and ELISA. Under these conditions, no patient displayed a limited immunological response profile in CSF as compared to serum. On the contrary, there was intrathecal synthesis (ITS) of anti HIV-antibodies in Western blot test in 21 patients for gp160 and ITS was demonstrable for env, gag, and pol products. ITS of anti-HIV antibodies occurred in 17 patients when measured by ELISA. ITS of non specific IgG and HIV-antigens in CSF were less frequent. A marked anti-HIV response is evident in the CSF-CNS compartment in the later phases of the HIV infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1990

Genetic analysis of chromosomal operons involved in degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in Pseudomonas putida TMB.

The catabolic pathway for the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons encoded by Pseudomonas putida TMB differs from the TOL plasmid-encoded pathway as far as regulation of the upper pathway is concerned. We found, by analyzing Tn5-induced mutants and by Southern blot hybridization with appropriate probes derived from the TOL plasmid pWW0, that the catabolic genes of strain TMB were located on the bacterial chromosome and not on the 84-kb plasmid harbored by this strain. The catabolic genes of TMB and pWW0 had sequence homology, as shown by Southern blot hybridization, but differed significantly in their restriction patterns. The analysis of the mutants suggests that a regulatory mechanism similar to that present in pWW0 coexists in TMB with a second mode of regulation which is epistatic on the former and that the chromosomal region carrying the catabolic genes is prone to rearrangements and deletions.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1990

Treatment with gammaglobulin preparation for intravenous use in children with humoral immunodeficiency: clinical and immunologic follow-up.

We have treated 23 children aged 6 to 15 years affected with agammaglobulinemia or severe hypogammaglobulinemia with IgG serum levels less than 100 mg/dL with IV gammaglobulin (Sandoglobulin), 150 to 300 mg/kg/3 wk for more than 3 years. The children suffered from severe and recurrent bacterial infections, mainly of the respiratory tract. They had been treated previously with IM gammaglobulin (0.8 ml/kg/3 wk), but their serum IgG values were never higher than 100 mg/dL. We compared the data of the follow-up after 3 years of treatment with IV gammaglobulin and the follow-up after 2 years course of IM gammaglobulin. Minor adverse reactions (chills, fever, abdominal pain) were observed only in some children during the first months of therapy. These data demonstrate that the number of infections or days with fever, in bed, or in hospital dramatically decreased during IV Ig therapy, while IgG serum levels increased to approximately normal values. IV Ig is a safe and effective treatment for patients with humoral immunodeficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Complement activation is variably affected by fibronectin preparations obtained through different procedures.

Human plasma fibronectin (FN) containing preparations (FNCP) were prepared by means of gelatin-affinity chromatography of normal plasma cryoprecipitate (FNCP-a), and by affinity chromatography of cryoprecipitate on a rabbit anti-human FN antiserum Sepharose column (FNCP-b) or of normal citrated plasma (FNCP-c). These preparations were then tested for their ability to influence certain complement (C')-dependent polymorphonuclear phagocyte activities. FNCP-a consistently inhibited humoral chemotaxis, whereas FNCP-b and -c did not. Measurement of C' activation by the C3 conversion assay revealed that only FNCP-a displayed inhibitory activity on classical and alternative pathways. Ouchterlony and immunoelectrophoretic analyses indicated substantial identity of all FNCPs. FNCP-a contained a consistent amount of lower MW contaminants (between 40 and 60 KD) which were shown not to be immunologically related to FN by Western blot analysis. Immunoblotting also revealed a single band in FNCP-a (MW approx. 210 KD) instead of the anticipated two bands which were evident in the other FNCPs. Thus, a slight modification of the FN molecule and/or the presence of low MW contaminants in the gelatin-purified preparation seem able to induce inhibitory effects on C'-dependent polymorphonuclear phagocytic activities.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1987

Immunological studies in patients with central nervous system tumors.

Impairment of cell-mediated immunity in patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors has repeatedly been reported but data to demonstrate the underlying immunological defect are not univocal. This report concerns a series of 31 patients harboring a glioma in which we studied: peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations by monoclonal antibody analysis; cellular responsiveness to mitogens; serum immunoglobulin values. The same parameters were also evaluated in 7 cases of intracranial meningioma and in 8 patients affected by non-proliferative, non-inflammatory CNS diseases. Thirty age-matched healthy volunteers formed the control group. Neither impairment of T-cells as regard to number, responsiveness and subsets, nor abnormal Ig values were found in these groups. However two patients, harboring respectively a third ventricle low grade astrocytoma and an anterior callosal glioblastoma, presented a striking T-cells impairment. These findings might suggest a correlation between hypothalamus and immune system, as already postulated by several previous experimental and clinical studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and phorbol esters (TPA) may induce select in vitro differentiation pathways in the HL60 promyelocytic cell line.

Monocytic features can be induced in the myeloid cell line HL60 in order to provide a suitable in vitro model for the investigation of in vitro activity in mononuclear phagocytes. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) induced the HL60 cell line to express the monocytic differentiation antigen Leu M3 in about 30-50% of the cells along with an increase (up to 20%) in the expression of HLA-DR but not HLA-DQ class II antigen. Functional investigation showed that calcitriol-treated cells formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes coated with an anti-sheep erythrocyte-specific IgG2a mouse MoAb and readily ingested them. In addition, these same sensitized erythrocytes were lysed in an 18-hr antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. All together these data indicate the presence of functionally active Fc-IgG receptors (FcR). Sorting experiments demonstrated that only Leu M3+ HLA-DR+ cells contained the effector cell population; such was also the case for blood monocytes. This phenotypic profile was, however, not predictive per se of FcR presence and function, as 12,O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced HL60 cells neither formed rosettes nor phagocytosed nor exhibited ADCC activity, although they express Leu M3 and HLA-DR (as well as HLA-DQ) antigens. These results suggest that calcitriol and TPA cause the differentiation of HL60 cells along distinct pathways. On the other hand, different subpopulations with given predetermined differentiation capabilities may coexist in HL60 cell line. This hypothesis gains support by the observation that when TPA and calcitriol were added together to the undifferentiated cells, the resulting phenotypic pattern was representative of the different activities of both of the inducers as they were used separately.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1987

Isolation of a Pseudomonas stutzeri strain that degrades o-xylene.

A Pseudomonas stutzeri strain capable of growing on o-xylene was isolated from enrichment cultures. The organism grew on 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylphenol but not on 2-methylbenzyl alcohol, o-tolualdehyde, or o-toluate. P. stutzeri was not able to utilize m-xylene, p-xylene, or 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, but growth was observed in the presence of the corresponding alcohols and acids. From the Pseudomonas cultures supplied with o-xylene, 2,3-dimethylphenol was isolated and identified. When resting P. stutzeri cells were incubated with 2,3-dimethylphenol, the reaction mixture turned greenish yellow and showed spectral properties identical to those of the 3,4-dimethylcatechol meta ring fission product. Catechol 2,3-oxygenase was induced by growth on o-xylene or on 2,3- or 3,4-dimethylphenol. The suggested hypothesis is that the first metabolic steps of growth on o-xylene involve the direct oxygenation of the aromatic nucleus, followed by meta pathway reactions.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1987

Characterization of a novel TOL-like plasmid from Pseudomonas putida involved in 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene degradation.

A strain of Pseudomonas putida (TMB) was found to resemble P. putida mt-2 (PaW1) in its ability to degrade 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, toluene, m-xylene, and p-xylene via oxidation of a methyl substituent and reaction of the meta fission pathway, but a different regulatory model is suggested. The ability of P. putida TMB to degrade these substrates was encoded by plasmid pGB (85 kilobase pairs), which showed considerable differences in size, restriction patterns, and DNA sequence from those of plasmid pWWO of strain PaW1.

Benzene Derivatives↗
PubMed1987

Cytotoxic function in the differentiated HL60 cell line.

Monocytic features can be induced in the myeloid cell line HL60 in order to provide a suitable in vitro model for the investigation of in vivo activity in mononuclear phagocytes. 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Calcitriol) induced the HL60 cell line to express the monocytic differentiation antigen Leu M3 in about 30-50% of the cells along with an increase (up to 20%) in the expression of the HLA class II antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) HLADR, but not HLADQ. Functional investigation showed that Calcitriol-treated cells formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes coated with a specific IgG2a mouse MoAb and readily ingested them. In addition, these same sensitized erythrocytes were lysed in an 18 hrs antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. All together these data indicate the presence of functionally active Fc gamma Receptors (FcR). Sorting experiment demonstrated that only Leu M3+ HLADR+ cells contained the effector cell population. The phenotypic profile was not per se predictive of FcR presence and function, as TPA induced HL60 cells neither formed rosettes nor phagocytosed nor exhibited ADCC activity, although they express Leu M3+ and HLADR+ (as well as HLADQ) antigens. These results suggest that Calcitriol and TPA cause the differentiation of HL60 cells along distinct pathways. On the other hand, different subpopulations with given predetermined differentiation capabilities may coexist in HL60 cell line.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Results in two infants with the DiGeorge syndrome--effects of long-term TP5.

We treated two patients affected by DiGeorge syndrome with long-term administration of the synthetic thymic hormone thymopoietin (TP5). In both cases we obtained durable immunological reconstitution, starting as early as 2 weeks after beginning of TP5 treatment. High levels of circulating immature thymocytes and precursor T cells (defined by monoclonal antibodies OKT6, OKT9, and OKT10) were present prior to therapy, and they steadily decreased during the first few weeks of study. During the same time, phenotypically mature T lymphocytes (OKT3+ and OKT4+/OKT8+) markedly increased, thereafter remaining at near normal levels. OKT10+ cells appeared to rise again after 3 months of TP5 treatment. In vitro function of T cells, assessed by PHA stimulation, and in vivo cell-mediated immunity (skin tests with Candida) were normal at 3 and at 2 months, respectively, after initiation of therapy. No severe infection episodes were recorded and normal development was achieved. No side effect or adverse reaction occurred. In these two patients the other features of the DiGeorge syndrome were successfully treated by early cardiac surgery and vitamin D therapy. The immunological reconstitution, in absence of functioning thymus observed in these two cases, provides further evidence of the effectiveness of long-term treatment with thymic hormones--with maintenance of the improvement of cell-mediated immunity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

Ecotoxicological profile of xylenes. Working Party on Ecotoxicological Profiles of Chemicals.

The xylenes (o, m, p), which are produced in large amounts and widely used, must be considered as environmental contaminants, as they have been identified in the atmosphere of many countries. Their acute and chronic toxicity in mammals is moderate. Mutagenic and teratogenic properties can be excluded. Carcinogenic potential has been at present inadequately studied. In man some disturbances are evident at the concentration of 45 ppm. Hepatic metabolism is a valid process of detoxification and its high rate limits the risk of accumulation of the xylenes in adipose tissue. Ecotoxicological data refer almost exclusively to water. No long-term tests have been made. However, the high volatility, elevated elimination, and the low factor of accumulation suggest the impact on aquatic environment should be limited. Xylenes are easily biodegraded by many microorganisms. Photoxydation is one of the main degradation processes, responsible for the disappearance of the xylenes from the atmosphere.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Distinct appearance of differentiation markers in HL60 cell line treated with 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and phorbol esters (TPA).

Peripheral blood monocytes are comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells with respect to phenotype and functional activity. In this investigation we confirm the presence of two distinct subsets of peripheral blood adherent monocytes with respect to MHC class II antigens HLA DR and HLA DQ using two color FACS analysis. In the attempt to mimic the in vivo situation promyelocytic cells lines have been established which can be induced to undergo characteristic monocytic differentiation in response to a variety of agents. The HL 60 cell line can be induced in vitro by phorbol esters (TPA) to display membrane HLA DR and HLA DQ antigens along with the mature monocytic marker Leu M3. Physiological concentrations of 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D3 leads to the expression of HLA DR and Leu M3 antigens but not HLA DQ. These data suggest that these inducers may cause the differentiation of phenotypically distinct monocytic subpopulations.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1986

Leukocyte locomotory function in children with the immotile cilia syndrome.

The random motility of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), cellular chemotaxis and chemokinesis in kinetic fashion in 4 patients with immotile cilia syndrome (ICS) have been evaluated. No impairment of granulocyte ability of orientation and migration was found. Ultrastructural alterations of cilia which are the primary factor in the pathogenesis of respiratory tract disease in patients with ICS do not impair the PMN function.

Adolescent↗