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Biomedical subjects

F D'Andrea

Publications and source records attributed to F D'Andrea.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Induction of erythroid differentiation of human K562 cells by 3-O-acyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-glucofuranose derivatives.

In this paper we report the synthesis of twelve 3-O-acyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-glucofuranose derivatives and the results obtained on their effects in inducing erythroid differentiation of human leukemic K562 cells. The data obtained demonstrate that two of the newly synthetized compounds are able to induce erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. In addition, these same compounds potentiate K562 erythroid differentiation induced by cytosine arabinoside, retinoic acid and mithramycin. Inducers of erythroid differentiation stimulating fetal gamma-globin synthesis could be considered for possible use in the experimental therapy of hematological diseases associated with a failure in the expression of adult beta-globin genes.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1999

Nutrition in the head-injured patient.

Head injury initiates a systemic response characterized by hypermetabolism, hypercatabolism, the acute-phase response, decreased immunologic function, hyperglycemia, increased counterregulatory hormone levels, increased ventricular fluid and serum cytokine levels and altered gastrointestinal function. Early and adequate nutrition, whether enteral or parenteral, is believed to be an essential component of patient care and has been shown to improve outcome. Recent studies indicate that enteral nutrition is more effective than parenteral nutrition in maintaining the integrity of gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing the incidence of septic morbidity and decreasing the risk of bacterial translocation. Thus, enteral administration of nutrients is the preferred route of nutrition. Because of the high incidence of gastroparesis, enteral nutrition support may be difficult. However, many benefits of early enteral nutrition can be achieved even if the patient receives only 1/3 of needs. Supplemental parenteral nutrition may be used until enteral nutrition becomes adequate. Modulation of injury response by provision of specific nutrients such as arginine appears to improve the immune response in critically ill patients, but has not been specifically evaluated in patients following head injury. Future researches should be aimed at defining optimal nutritional support utilizing specific nutrients and nutritional regimens to improve the outcome of patients with head injury.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of mitoxantrone in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: 24-month clinical and MRI outcome.

We designed a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial involving 51 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients to determine the clinical efficacy of mitoxantrone treatment over 2 years. Patients were allocated either to the mitoxantrone group (27 patients receiving I.V. infusion of mitoxantrone every month for 1 year at the dosage of 8 mg/m2) or to the placebo group (24 patients, receiving I.V. infusion of saline every month for 1 year) using a centralized randomization system. Disability at entry and at 12-24 months was evaluated by four blinded neurologists trained in the application of the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Scale (EDSS). In addition, the number and clinical characteristics of the exacerbations over the 24 months were recorded by the local investigators. MRI, at 0, 12 and 24 months, was performed with a 0.2 T permanent unit. MRI data were analysed by two blinded neuroradiologists. All patients underwent a clinical evaluation. A statistically significant difference in the mean number of exacerbations was observed between the mitoxantrone group and placebo group both during the 1st and the 2nd year. Although there was no statistically significant benefit in terms of mean EDSS progression over 2 years, the proportion of patients with confirmed progression of the disease, as measured by a one point increase on the EDSS scale, was significantly reduced at the 2nd year evaluation in the mitoxantrone group. Forty-two (23 mitoxantrone, 19 placebo) patients underwent all MRI examinations during the 24-month period. We observed a trend towards a reduction in the number of new lesions on T2-weighted images in the mitoxantrone group. Our study suggests that mitoxantrone might be effective in reducing disease activity, both by decreasing the mean number of exacerbations and by slowing the clinical progression sustained by most patients after 1 year from the end of treatment.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

[Traumatism of the orbital-eyelid area].

The anatomical characteristics of the orbital-eyelid region are responsible for many traumas of different kinds, like road, domestic and sports accidents, especially in the last years. Therefore different kinds of lesion of the soft and hard tissues in the orbital region and the diagnoses and the therapeutics according to plastic and maxillo-facial surgery are examined.

Eyelids↗
PubMed1995

4,6-O-benzylidene-D-glucopyranose and its sodium salt: new data on their preparation and properties.

An improved method for the preparation of 4,6-O-benzylidene-D-glucopyranose (BG), and new or correlated data on its 1H and 13C NMR spectra, specific rotations, and tautomeric equilibria, and on those of its anomeric sodium salt (BGNa), are reported. Evidence is presented in favour of the hypothesis that crystalline BGNa exists entirely in its beta-anomeric form and that it can be useful in the access to beta-glucosides in reactions with strong electrophiles under strictly heterogeneous conditions.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1995

New syntheses of D-tagatose and of 1,5-anhydro-D-tagatose from D-galactose derivatives.

3,4-O-Isopropylidene-D-lyxo-hexopyranosid-2-ulose derivatives, obtained by oxidation of 3,4,6-protected D-galactopyranosides, can be alkylated in their anionic 2,6-pyranose forms to produce bis-glycosides containing the 2,5-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring system. The 1-benzyl-2-methyl bis-glycoside 4b, when subjected to catalytic hydrogenolysis, produces the methyl D-lyxo-hexopyranos-2-uloside 10, existing as an 8:2 mixture of 1,5-pyranose anomers 9. Computational and NMR evidence is presented in favour of the hypothesis that the major anomer has the alpha configuration. Reduction of 9/10 with NaBH4 gives methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-tagatopyranoside, that can be hydrolyzed to D-tagatose. A simple synthesis of 1,5-anhydro-D-tagatose, starting from 1,5-anhydro-D-galactitol, is also presented. All new compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis and by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Acetals↗
PubMed1994

A controlled trial of mitoxantrone in multiple sclerosis: serial MRI evaluation at one year.

We present the results of a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled, multicenter trial, of low-dose mitoxantrone (MX), after one year, in 25 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, who had serial enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment groups were balanced for age, gender, duration of illness and neurological disability. Five of the 13 MX patients and 10 of the 12 placebo patients had exacerbations during treatment (p < 0.02). The mean change in the extended disability status scale was not significantly different between the MX and placebo treatment groups. Serial Gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MRI detected no significant difference between the MX treated and placebo groups in the mean total number of new, enlarging, or Gadolinium-DTPA enhancing lesions; there was a trend toward a reduction of new, enlarging and Gadolinium-DTPA enhancing lesions in MX patients. Despite this ameliorating effect, the results indicate that serial Gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MRI, performed over one year in a limited number of patients, could not provide conclusive evidence for a role of MX therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[A sustained response in chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon].

We analyzed 27 subjects with long-term response, from a group of 110 interferon treated patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis and serum anti-HCV antibodies. The following variables were assessed as potential predictors: sex, age, ALT level before the therapy was started, liver structure, type of interferon, total amount of interferon. Total amount of administered interferon statistically correlated with long-term response by univariate analysis. Nevertheless upon stepwise logistic multivariate analysis none of them was independently predictive of long-term response. Additional studies would be needed in order to develop a model capable of predicting from pre-treatment features which patients are likely to have long-term response.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Attraction of Chironomus salinarius (Diptera: Chironomidae) to artificial light on an island in the saltwater lagoon of Venice, Italy.

The attraction of adult Chironomus salinarius to incandescent 3-W lamps of 7 different colors used in CDC traps was studied on a small island in the lagoon of Venice, Italy. An ANOVA indicated that the lamp type was a highly significant (P < 0.01) factor associated with differences in light trap catch (28% of total variation), as well as catch per lux (18% of total variation). The white lamp attracted higher numbers of adults than the other 6 color lamps. Yellow was the second most preferred, and red was the least attractive. There was a strong linear relationship (r = 0.93) between the catch and light intensity, which suggested that intensity was the primary factor influencing catch. However, catch per unit brightness (lux) tended to be inversely proportional to the peak wavelength associated with the lamp color (e.g., the violet lamp had the highest catch/lux, and the red lamp had the lowest). The corresponding regression model, Catch = 49 + [(48,013/lambda) - 63] . L, in which the slope associated with light intensity in lux (L) is inversely proportional to the peak wavelength in nm (lambda) explained 97% of the variation among lamp catch means. Manipulating light intensity and color could be useful to divert adult C. salinarius populations from midge-affected areas for control purposes.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

Platelet changes in classic migraine.

We investigated some ultrastructural aspects of platelet activity in patients with classic migraine during an attack-free period. We focused on the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), the intracellular concentration of Ca++ and the membrane phospholipid structure using a DPH (1,6 diphenyl-1,3,5 hexatriene) fluorescent probe. Our study comprised 20 patients with classic migraine and 5 healthy controls, from whom 10 cc samples of blood were collected in test tubes containing sodium citrate (1/9 cc). We found no significant differences in MDA production between migraineurs and controls either before or after stimulation with thrombin. The same applies to the concentration of intracellular Ca++ (Ca++i). The membrane lipid composition assessed by DPH fluorescent probe was normal both in migraineurs and in controls. Our findings suggest no intrinsic activation of platelet aggregation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Efficacy of two temephos formulations against Chironomus salinarius (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the saltwater lagoon of Venice, Italy.

Two formulations of the organophosphorus insecticide, temephos (Abathion Granulare, 1% AI granular and Tambro Compresse, 2% AI tablet) were evaluated against Chironomus salinarius midge larvae in 50 x 50 m experimental plots in the saltwater lagoon of Venice, Italy. Each formulation was applied at 0.2 and 0.4 kg AI/ha. Abathion Granulare produced 56 to 73% larval reduction at 0.2 kg AI/ha and 69 to 83% reduction at 0.4 kg AI/ha during 3 wk after treatment. Abathion Granulare lost effectiveness at 4 wk after application at both rates. Posttreatment larval reductions resulting from Tambro Compresse applications ranged from 77 to 86% for 3 wk, and 82 to 92% for 4 wk at rates of 0.2 and 0.4 kg AI/ha, respectively. The tablet formulation (Tambro Compresse) gave better control of C. salinarius (magnitude and duration) than the granular formulation (Abathion Granulare) in these evaluations.

Animals↗