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Biomedical subjects

F Bernardi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bernardi.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

The course of thyroid abnormalities during lithium treatment: a two-year follow-up study.

A total of 116 patients on lithium treatment were followed up for 2 years to determine the course and the clinical relevance of thyroid abnormalities. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were transitory in most patients, except those with serum antithyroid antibodies. The patients who initially had microsomal antibodies remained positive, with an increase in titre in two-thirds of cases. Three young patients of both sexes developed thyroid autoimmunity early in the treatment. The risk of developing hypothyroidism was higher in women, especially in the presence of antibodies. TSH concentrations were significantly lower when carbamazepine was combined with lithium.

Adult↗

A novel deletion of FVIII gene associated with variable levels of FVIII inhibitor.

We describe a novel gross deletion of the factor VIII gene in 5 related patients with severe hemophilia A. The deletion extends from intron 15 to at least 8.5 kb beyond the 3' end of the gene (at least 95 kb of extension), and is associated with variable levels of FVIII inhibitor in 4 of the patients. The carrier detection in the family was based on the abnormal restriction pattern of the partially deleted gene.

Adolescent↗

Localization of cloned human DNA sequences and analysis of chromosomal alterations by in situ hybridization.

The in situ hybridization technique was used for the localization on human chromosomes of single-copy and repeated sequences and, in addition, for the characterization of altered human chromosomes. Two anonymous clones, single or low-copy, obtained from a human X chromosome library were localized on the distal part of the long arm and in the paracentromeric region of X chromosome, respectively. A genomic fragment of the single-copy thyroglobulin (TG) gene was used to confirm the localization on the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 8. The localization and distribution on human chromosomes of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) multigene family obtained by in situ hybridization and by somatic cell hybrids were compared. A phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) c-DNA clone, which detects genic and pseudogenic sequences on the X chromosome, was used for the characterization of three small ring markers present in unrelated female patients.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Chromosomal localization of human p85 alpha, a subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and its homologue p85 beta.

The human phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase p85 alpha subunit gene and its homologue p85 beta were assigned to human chromosomes by analysis of their segregation in a panel of somatic cell hybrids using human-specific polymerase chain reaction primers. The p85 alpha locus was only present in hybrids retaining the human chromosome 5q. The presence of the p85 beta locus coincided with the presence of chromosome 19. The precise chromosomal sublocalization of these two genes was then determined by in situ hybridization. We confirmed the localization of the p85 alpha gene at 5q12-q13, as recently described (Cannizzaro, L.A., Skolnik, E.Y., Margolis, B., Croce, C.M., Schlesinger, J. & Huebner, K. (1991). Cancer Res., 51, 3818-3820) and positioned the p85 beta locus at 19q13.2-q13.4.

Base Sequence↗

Inter- and intramolecular transposition of Tn903.

We have performed a detailed analysis of intra- and intermolecular endproducts of transposition of the compound transposon Tn903 and we show that, in our system, the transposition activity is almost entirely driven by one of the flanking insertion sequences, IS903L. The relatively inactive state of IS903R can be conferred on IS903L by changing the orientation of the internal Tn region. IS903L mediates the formation of the majority of adjacent deletions, insertion/inversions and cointegrates, all of which are representative of replicative transposition; only a very low level of conservative transposition can be observed. Our results are discussed in relation to those showing that Tn903 uses predominantly the conservative pathway.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Characterization of the pseudogenic and genic homologous regions of von Willebrand factor.

The homologous pseudogenic and genic regions of von Willebrand factor (vWF) were studied in DNA from a patient with homozygous deletion of vWF genes and compared with a normal control. This analysis indicates informative restriction patterns for the investigation of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and gene lesions, and for molecular cloning. A useful new genic XbaI RFLP was found and characterized. A large BgIII fragment of the pseudogenic region was cloned and mapped, and single sequences (9 kb) were used as probes. Corresponding genic and pseudogenic fragments, which contain exons 23-28, and specific restriction patterns were identified, including a new polymorphic TaqI site that was mapped in the gene. A cloned fragment contains the 5' boundary of the pseudogene and recognizes an additional and unknown homologous sequence in the genome. The chromosomal localization of the vWF pseudogene and of the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene were compared by 'in situ' hybridization: overlapping patterns were detected. The cloning, characterization and mapping of the pseudogenic region improves the analysis of this portion of chromosome 22 affected by several somatic and constitutional alterations, and also of the corresponding genic region on chromosome 12.

Base Sequence↗

Thyroid abnormalities during lithium treatment.

Thyroid function was evaluated in 150 Sardinian outpatients at different stages of lithium treatment. A visible and/or palpable goitre was found in 51% of patients, and there was no apparent correlation with the duration of treatment. No cases of symptomatic hypothyroidism were observed, but subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 19% of patients. The prevalence of specific antithyroid antibodies was positively correlated with age and duration of lithium treatment, and was higher in women. Subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 53% of antibody-positive lithium-treated patients. Carbamazepine in combination with lithium was associated with significantly lower levels of total T4 and T3 than with lithium alone, and the ratios between total and free hormones were also decreased.

Adult↗

Enhanced superoxide production with no change of the antioxidant activity in gingival fluid of patients with chronic adult periodontitis.

In the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of control and chronic adult periodontitis (CAP) patients there is a spontaneous release of O2- radicals from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The addition of the exogenous stimuli phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) decreased the O2-. formation in control GCF, while in CAP patients produced a marked enhancement of O2-. generation. The circulating PMN of control subjects did not show a spontaneous O2-. formation, differently from CAP patients. On the contrary, a similar O2-. production was measured when the circulating PMN were stimulated with PMA. Moreover, the antioxidant activity measured in 10 microliters of cell free gingival supernatant (GS) of control and CAP patients had the same values by inhibiting 12.6% and 18.9% respectively of the O2- formation supported by a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Probably, the protective or destructive effect of PMN in GCF of CAP patients depends on the variations of the rate of O2- formation in respect to the intrinsic antioxidant property of GS.

Adult↗

[Cases of endometrial hyperplasia diagnosed at a regional hospital in the Province of Pavia].

Two hundred and fourteen cases of endometrial hyperplasia were diagnosed at the Hospital of Casorate (USSL 77, Pavia) between 1 january 1984 and 31 december 1989. Cases were subdivided as follows: 60 glandular hyperplasias, 54 glandular cystic hyperplasias, 83 adenomatous glandular hyperplasias, 13 atypical glandular hyperplasias and 24 cases of endometrial cancer. The analysis of data shows an increase in hyperplasia, but only the adenomatous and atypical varieties have a potentially carcinomatous evolution.

Endometrial Hyperplasia↗

[Short term post-surgical prophylaxis in gynecology. Use of cefonicid].

In this study the Authors have evaluated the use of cefonicid in "short-term" post-surgical prophylaxis in gynecology. No effects, nor alteration to hematochemical parameters related to the administration of this medicine have been observed and the analysis of data shows that the use of cefonicid contributes to reducing the incidence of post-surgical infections in hospital in a cure group compared to a control group.

Cefonicid↗

A de novo and heterozygous gene deletion causing a variant of von Willebrand disease.

An abnormal von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene restriction pattern has been found in a patient with von Willebrand disease. Because this gene alteration is not present in his parents or in 50 normal and 25 affected subjects, and the restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotypes are inherited normally in the patient's family, we suggest that a de novo mutation is present. Bands with reduced intensity and additional fragments, observed in several restriction digests, hybridize with noncontiguous copy DNA (cDNA) portions, thus indicating the presence of a heterozygous gene deletion. The deletion removes a genomic region containing at least codons 1147 through 1854 and corresponding to the D3-A3 homologous protein domains. The extent of the vWF pseudogene on chromosome 22 is roughly similar to that of the deleted area. However, the pseudogenic nature of the deletion is excluded by the mapping of bands with reduced intensity in the patient to the true vWF gene. The vWF antigen levels are one fourth of normal and ristocetin cofactor activity is severely impaired. The reduction of high molecular weight multimers in plasma and platelets and the altered triplet morphology are compatible with the presence of a dominant variant of type II von Willebrand disease.

Bleeding Time↗

Bronchial reactivity and sex hormone: study in a Turner's population.

Respiratory function and bronchial reactivity was studied by carbachol challenge in 41 patients with Turner's syndrome and in 46 controls. In patients and controls the personal and family history of atopic illnesses was evaluated; reactivity to skin allergen tests was studied in patients only. Patients with Turner's syndrome had less allergy skin test reactivity; no difference was found in allergic symptoms between patients and controls despite the patients having a more positive family history of atopy (P less than 0.05). Respiratory function variables were higher in patients than in controls, and bronchial reactivity as expressed by the results of carbachol testing was higher in Turner's patients than in controls (P less than 0.01). Bronchial reactivity was significantly reduced after 6 months of estrogenic therapy (P less than 0.05) in subjects with Turner's syndrome, while the same did not occur in patients who did not receive estrogen treatment. This study of pulmonary function and bronchial reactivity in Turner's patients may help understand the effects of sex hormones in the regulation of bronchial tone and of bronchial response to constrictive agents.

Adolescent↗

Familial rates of affective illness in Sardinia with special reference to schizoaffective disorder.

Familial rates of psychiatric disorders were studied in southern Sardinia and showed an increase in relatives of probands with the following research diagnostic criteria (RDC) diagnoses: normal, unipolar depression, schizoaffective depressive, schizoaffective bipolar, bipolar with mania and bipolar with hypomania. A significantly higher risk for bipolar schizoaffective disorder was observed in relatives of bipolar schizoaffectives compared with relatives of normal probands.

Adult↗

Characterization of polymorphic markers in the von Willebrand factor gene and pseudogene.

Three TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) detected by the central portion of von Willebrand factor cDNA, which recognizes the true gene and in addition pseudogenic sequences, were characterized and mapped. Small cDNA fragments which hybridized with DNA from families with von Willebrand disease were used. Two of the RFLP, recognized by 1.7 and 0.45 kb cDNA fragments, are not in linkage either with von Willebrand disease or with RFLP located in the von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene, which indicates their pseudogenic location. These markers located in 22q11, near to the bcr gene, provide new tools for the study of several somatic and constitutional alterations affecting this chromosomal region. The third RFLP is recognized by a cDNA fragment corresponding to the N-terminal portion of mature vWF and is localized in the true gene. Since significant linkage disequilibrium with other informative RFLP is not present, this marker contributes to the definition of family haplotypes associated with von Willebrand disease.

Blotting, Southern↗

Direct detection of a missense mutation causing severe hemophilia A by PCR amplification and fluorescence scanning.

The amplification of Factor VIII gene-specific sequences, obtained by polymerase chain reaction, was used for hemophilia A carrier detection. Exon 24 sequences were employed in the carrier status determination of a missense mutation causing severe hemophilia A in two unrelated patients. After agarose gel electrophoresis, the digested DNA was subjected to quantitative determination of fluorescence. This technique significantly improves the digest analysis.

Base Sequence↗