Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Serri

Publications and source records attributed to F Serri.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Evaluation of the feto-placental function by means of intraamniotic administration of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate.

It is well known that in pregnancy dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) (90% synthetized by the fetal adrenals, 10% by the maternal ones) is converted into estrogens mainly in the placenta. In order to evaluate the steroid metabolizing capacity of the placental enzymatic complex under load conditions, a test was devised based upon a rapid introduction of 200 mg of DHEAS into the amniotic compartment during the third trimester of gestation. The purpose of the present investigation was to establish the clinical utility of such a test in comparison with the simple urinary estrogen determination test.

Amnion↗

Insulinogenic indexes in psoriasis.

We have earlier demonstrated that in psoriasis there exists a reduced tolerance to carbohydrates in association with hyperinsulinism. To pursue this problem further, we felt it worthwhile to deal with the results of the oral glucose tolerance test performed on 78 subjects (divided into homogenous groups of normal, obese and psoriatic groups, both with and without diabetic genetic history and obesity) with determinations of both blood glucose and blood insulin levels. We have calculated the insulinogenic indexes by using the techniques elaborated by various authors (I/G, delta I/delta G, AI/AG) and we have then carried out a statistical evaluation both of these indexes and of the ratio between the various indexes employing not only the usual techniques but also that of correlation and simple and multiple regression. We have done this in order to evaluate which of these indexes is better suited to demonstrate the physiopathological mechanism concerning the relationship between insulin hypersecretion and reduced carbohydrate tolerance in the various pathological conditions which we have dealt with.

Blood Glucose↗

Histochemistry of the dermal ground substance of initial psoriatic lesions.

30 cases of initial psoriasis were studied. Pinhead-sized lesions, recently appeared, were excised and studied with histochemical methods for acid mucopolysaccharides. In all specimens a well defined reduction of the material stained with colloidal iron, with alcian blue with critical electrolyte concentrations and with toluidine blue was observed in the upper dermis, in particular in the papillary dermis in the center of the lesions, in correspondence of the squirting papillae. The more evident reduction of the staining with alcian blue with 0.1 M and 0.2 M MgCl2 suggests that the changes of the dermal ground substance are predominantly due to an alteration of the hyaluronic acid.

Alcian Blue↗

Histochemistry of the intercellular substance of the normal and psoriatic human epidermis.

The intercellular substance of skin samples obtained from normal subjects and from psoriatic patients has been studied with histochemical methods for carbohydrate containing substances and checked with enzymatic extractions. The surface coat which makes up most of the intercellular substance was stained with colloidal iron and with Alcian Blue solutions containing up to 0.20 M magnesium chloride; the stainings were heavily affected by the previous treatment of the sections with testicular hyaluronidase, but not with neuraminidase. The staining of the intercellular substance with Alcian Blue solutions containing up to 0.20 M magnesium chloride and the action of the hyaluronidase gives strength to the hypothesis that hyaluronic acid is contained in the substance. In the skin of psoriatic patients intercellular spaces wider than in normal skin and a reduced surface coat, particularly in the higher layers, has been observed.

Carbohydrates↗

[Polymorphous Juvenile Acne (author's transl)].

Many factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of acne, the most important of them lie in the sebaceous follicle, in disturbances of the cornification of the follicular channels and in the bacterial flora of the hair follicles. The latter consists of a yeast (pityrosporon ovale), coagulase-negative aerobic staphylococci and propionibacterium acnes. P. acnes is found in the depth of the follicle. It is of particular importance for the pathogenesis because it produces a lipase which releases fatty acids which stimulate the formation of comedones. Many questions are still unanswered. Presently, treatment consists of administration of estrogens or combination preparations of estrogen and progesterone (only recommended for women), of vitamin A acid and antibiotics. Tetracycline and its derivatives have proved particularly valuable for this purpose.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Topical vitamin A acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris (a controlled multicenter trial).

A controlled non-blind multicenter trial was conducted in 211 acne patients to test the activity of topical retinoic acid against sulfur-resorcinol--salicylic acid and placebo. Uniform evaluation criteria were used. After 8 weeks' treatment in comparable groups of patients, retinoic acid proved to be superior to the standard and to the placebo. The difference was statistically significant. Side effects were present in a number of patients treated with the active substances and with the placebo (mainly erythema), but rarely was the treatment discontinued.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Immunofluorescent studies of the skin in mixed cryoglobulinaemia and Schönlein-Henoch purpura.

Immunofluorescence investigations in patients with mixed cryoglobulinaemia, Schönlein-Henoch purpura and purpuric allergic reaction with disseminated intravascular coagulation have been performed. In the lesional skin from 8 patients with mixed cryoglobulinaemia, granular vascular deposits of immunoglobulins of the same classes as those of the circulating cryoglobulins were detectable in all cases; complement and fibrinogen were concomitantly present. In the unaffected skin, IgM and complement were detected in the walls of the capillaries. In the early purpuric lesions from 6 patients with Schönlein-Henoch syndrome and from a patient with diseeminated vascular coagulation from acute allergic reaction to phenylbutazone, deposits of fibrinogen occurred mainly in the vessel walls.

Cryoglobulins↗