Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Mariani

Publications and source records attributed to E Mariani.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Gas chromatographic determination of chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in complex cosmetic matrices.

An investigation was performed in order to evaluate the presence as polluting agents of chlorinated hydrocarbons in complex cosmetic matrices. Chlorinated pesticides, such as Dieldrin, alpha-Endosulfan, Heptachlor, alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH), Lindane and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) such as Aroclor 1254, were studied in two ingredients and in three finished commercial products. The analytical procedure consists of extraction, extract clean-up, separation of pesticides from PCBs, identification and measurement. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detector, identity of pesticides and PCBs was assumed from retention times and quantification was based on peak-height measurements.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1993

[Influence of maternal smoking on cord serum IgE levels in newborns].

Allergic diseases are among the most common diseases in childhood and their prevalence is 14%. One of the most important pathogenetic factors is the ability to produce IgE and the measurement of cord serum IgE seems to be very important for early detection of newborns at risk. Besides, cigarette smoke, among the environmental factors, has been demonstrated to influence the immunologic system, inducing an increase in IgE production. The aim of this study is to evaluate fetal production of IgE in newborns with a family history of atopy and whose mother has been smoking during pregnancy. The measurement of cord serum IgE has been performed in 215 at term newborns (weight at birth > 2500 g, Apgar score at 5' > 7). A careful history has been obtained with particular regard at the presence of familiarity for allergies and a cigarette smoking during pregnancy. According to the history, children have been divided in 3 groups: Group 1: 126 newborns without familiar history of allergy and born from no smoking mothers (control group); Group 2: 46 newborns with familiar history for allergy and born from no smoking mothers; Group 3: 43 newborns without familiar history for allergy born from smoking mothers. The II and III groups of newborns present total IgE levels on cord serum significantly higher than the control group. Besides a positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked during pregnancy and the value of cord serum IgE has been detected. It is well known that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Synthesis and in vitro phototoxicity of 5-(arylmethylene)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ones, a class of potential sunscreens.

A series of 5-(arylmethylene)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6- ones was prepared by reaction of (+)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-one with aromatic aldehydes in an alkaline medium. These compounds can be considered as potential UVB or UVA sunscreens. In vitro phototoxicity tests (photohemolysis and Candida albicans) showed that they exhibit in general a low phototoxicity level.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds↗
PubMed1993

2H-1-benzopyran derivatives with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,6- diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted 2-aminomethylene-4-phenylcyclohexanones, followed by dehydrochlorination in situ of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. Some compounds showed a platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior or comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid and an appreciable antiarrhythmic activity, as well as weak anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic activities in rats and mice.

Aconitine↗
PubMed1993

Epilepsy in institutionalized patients with encephalopathy: clinical aspects and nosological considerations.

This study was designed to correlate the prevalence of epilepsy with the severity and type of encephalopathy of 1,023 institutionalized patients and tentatively classify each according to the Proposals of the Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy. Of this sample, 326 individuals were diagnosed with epilepsy. Sex distribution and mean age in the epilepsy and no epilepsy groups were similar, but degree of handicap was higher for those with epilepsy. Of these individuals 32.5% had a partial form. Of the 204 patients with generalized epilepsy (62.5%), 64 had a form with electroclinical characteristics of the idiopathic type; 57, a syndromic form (53 cases with a Lennox-Gastaut syndrome); and 83, a nonsyndromic form. Degree of handicap and frequency of seizures were lower in subjects with partial epilepsy and with those having electroclinical characteristics of the idiopathic type.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

Cellular response and anti-HBs synthesis in vitro after vaccination with yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis vaccine.

Two groups of subjects receiving two different doses of yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) (10 micrograms Gen-HB-Vax, Merck Sharp and Dohme and 20 micrograms Engerix-B, Smith Kline and French) were investigated for in vitro specific humoral and cellular response to the native protein. In vitro proliferative response was dependent on the following critical variables: (1) antigen-specific precursor lymphocytes were present in the peripheral blood for a very short time; (2) the number of circulating specific precursors was dependent on the dose of HBsAg used for vaccination; (3) the presence of antigen-presenting cells was necessary to obtain a blastogenic response in vitro. In vitro proliferation was enhanced by the addition of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2). Spontaneous and stimulated (anti-CD3, pokeweed mitogen) anti-HBs antibody production in vitro was obtained in only eight out of 20 subjects after the fourth boost. Although a different immunogenicity of the two vaccines cannot be excluded, these data strongly suggest that T and B cells responsive to HBsAg present different kinetics of recirculation in the peripheral blood, depending on the antigen dose used for immunization.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Immune defects in families and patients with xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by photosensitivity, a high incidence of cancer in sun-exposed portions of the skin and a reduced capacity to repair the u.v.-induced DNA damage. One of the XP mutations (XP-D) has also been identified in patients affected by trichothiodystrophy (TTD), a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by brittle hair, mental and physical retardation, peculiar face and ichthyosis. However, in these patients there is no evidence of increased skin tumour incidence. Since an impairment of cell-mediated immunity has been proposed as a co-factor in the cancer proneness of XP patients, we investigated the involvement of immune defect(s) in five XP patients, five TTD patients, their parents, and 24 TTD relatives. We evaluated the phenotype of circulating lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cell lytic activity, target cell binding of NK cells at single cell level and the effect of interferons (IFN) alpha and beta on NK cell activity. The relative proportion of CD3+ and CD4+ circulating lymphocytes was reduced in XP but not in TTD patients. NK cell lytic activity was decreased in XP patients and their mothers, but their fathers showed normal lytic activity. NK activity varied among TTD families: four out of five patients and their relatives presented low NK cell activity, and one family was normal. In TTD family members, NK activity increased after incubation with IFN-alpha or IFN-beta, but never reached normal values. In contrast, in XP patients and their mothers, the defect was almost completely corrected after in vitro incubation with IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. Our study indicates impaired NK lytic activity in the majority of TTD and XP patients and that this defect is present also in members of their families. In addition, XP patients present a low number of circulating T cells. These multiple abnormalities, together with DNA repair defects, could be related to the increased cancer risk in XP patients.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1992

Cyclohepta[b]pyran derivatives with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3-phenylcyclohepta[b]pyran-2(5H)-ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted 2-aminomethylenecycloheptanones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. Some compounds showed a platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior or comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as weak local anesthetic, antiinflammatory and analgesic activities in mice and rats.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1991

Commercial serum-free media: hybridoma growth and monoclonal antibody production.

Various growth factors, hormones and proteins present in serum are presumed to be responsible for its growth-stimulating activity in culture media. However, synthetic or serum substitute media supporting cell growth are advantageous when it is necessary to standardize culture conditions, particularly when cell products are used. In this study we have evaluated and compared the effects of some commercially available serum substitute media (10% NU Serum, 10% BMS, 2% Ultroser HY, 1% ITS + Premix, 1% Nutridoma, Ultradoma, FEB100, DCCM1 and DCCM2) on growth and immunoglobulin production in different hybridoma cell lines. Six different hybrids were studied: OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 (producing monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4 and CD8 molecules), HB43 and HB57 (producing monoclonal antibodies against human IgG and IgM), and CRL 8019 (producing monoclonal antibodies against high-molecular weight CEA). Several parameters were evaluated, such as viability, doubling time, DNA synthesis, monoclonal antibody production and cell cycle under different culture conditions. Since not all of the hybridomas grew equally well in the same serum substitute media, one synthetic medium cannot be used for all the lines. We found that the serum-free media that best supported hybridoma growth were Nutridoma, DCCM1, DCCM2, NU Serum and FEB100.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

2H-pyrano[3,2-d]-1-benzoxepin derivatives with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-5,6-dihydro-3-phenyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-d]-1-benzoxepin-2 -ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted (E)-4-aminomethylene-3,4-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-5(2H)-ones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. Some of these compounds showed a platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro slightly superior to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as weak local anesthetic and antiinflammatory activities in mice and rats, respectively.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1991

Benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyran derivatives with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-6,7-dihydro-3-phenylbenzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyran-2(5H) -ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted 6-aminomethylene-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-5-ones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. Some compounds showed a platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior or comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as a weak local anesthetic activity in mice and antiinflammatory activity in rats.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1991

5-[4-(omega-dialkylaminoalkoxy)phenylmethylene] -1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ones with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of 5-[4-(omega-dialkylaminoalkoxy)phenylmethylene]- 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ones 3 by reaction of some 4-(omega-dialkylaminoalkoxy)benzaldehydes with (+)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-one in the presence of sodium methoxide is described. Some aminoethers 3 showed platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior or comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as weak antiarrhythmic activity in rats and moderate infiltration anesthesia in mice.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1991

omega-Dialkylaminoalkyl ethers of 5-(arylmethylene)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2- oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-hydroxyimines with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of omega-dialkylaminoalkyl ethers 3 by the reaction of some 5-(arylmethylene)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6- hydroxyimines as sodium salts with the appropriate omega-chloroalkyldialkylamine in DMF solution is described. Some aminoethers 3 showed strong platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as weak antiarrhythmic activity in rats and moderate infiltration anesthesia in mice.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1991

2H-pyrano[2,3-f]quinazoline derivatives with platelet antiaggregating and other activities.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-5,6-dihydro-3,8-diphenyl-2H-pyrano[2,3-f]quinazolin- 2-ones by the reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted (E)-6-aminomethylene-7,8-dihydro-2-phenylquinazolin-5(6H)-ones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. The methylbenzylamino and diphenylamino derivatives showed platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior to that of acetylsalicylic acid. The 1-pyrrolidinyl derivative showed appreciable local anesthetic activity in mice, whereas the whole series of compounds exhibited weak antiinflammatory activity in rats.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1990

Age-associated changes in CD8+ and CD16+ cell reactivity: clonal analysis.

A cloning technique was used to estimate the frequency of proliferating T cell precursors, the growth capacity of clone-forming cells and the functional activity of clones established in vitro from peripheral blood lymphocytes of young and old people. The mean frequency of proliferating precursors was lower in the elderly as was the proliferative capacity of CD8+ clones. In contrast, CD4+ and CD16+ clones showed a proliferation similar to that obtained from young subjects. When the clones were examined for their functional activity, CD4+ clones from both groups failed to show any cytolytic activity, while CD8+ clones exerted cytolysis against K562 and in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity but this function was reduced in clones derived from old subjects. Similarly, CD16+ clones from the elderly showed a decreased activity at some effector-to-target cell ratios. We conclude that the impaired functional activity (T or NK-dependent) found in the peripheral blood of aged subjects persists after in vitro selection when these cells are analysed at clonal level.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP-PR) in migraine subjects with visual aura.

Twenty patients with migraine with visual aura, aged 19 to 55 years (2 men and 18 women) were studied by the method of Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP). The control group consisted of an equal number of healthy subjects, comparable for age and sex. The most important finding in our study is that migraine patients with visual prodromata have a significantly longer P100 latency than the subjects of control group. These modifications of the VEP-PR could indicate, as other investigators have pointed out, that there are some special metabolic conditions and abnormalities of neuromediators during and between attacks.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Study of visual evoked potentials in diabetics without retinopathy: correlations with clinical findings and polyneuropathy.

To evaluate central optic pathways' involvement in diabetics, visual evoked potentials (VEP), in particular the latency of positive peak (LP100), were studied in 35 patients without retinopathy (4 insulin-dependent, 31 non-insulin-dependent) and 35 normal controls using reversal pattern stimulation. LP100 was significantly delayed in diabetics at both binocular and monocular stimulation. Furthermore, the delay in LP100 was significantly longer in the diabetics with polyneuropathy than in those without, particularly after binocular stimulation. A positive correlation was found between latencies of VEP and HbA1, duration of disease, and neurologic score. VEP measurement seems a simple and sensitive method for detecting early alterations in central optic pathways in diabetics.

Adult↗