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F Trimarchi

Publications and source records attributed to F Trimarchi.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunoexpression of CD30 and CD30 ligand in deciduas from spontaneous abortions.

In the present study, using immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of CD30 and CD30-L in 35 deciduas obtained from women following elective abortion during normal physiological gestation and in 60 deciduas obtained from women after spontaneous abortion with or without signs of inflammation. The main difference was noticed in the first trimester of gestation in which was found a decrease in CD30/CD30-L-positive decidual glandular and stromal cells in a greater number of cases of spontaneous abortions with respect to cases of physiological pregnancies (70% vs 50%, p<0.05). In addition, deciduas from spontaneous abortions with inflammation and without inflammation reacted similarly. The reduced expression of CD30 and CD30-L and their cellular pattern detected in the deciduas from spontaneous abortions suggest that the CD30/CD30-L system is crucial for preventing abortions in the first trimester. Furthermore, the distinctive expression of CD30/CD30-L in deciduas from physiological pregnancies may indicate that the CD30/CD30-L system exerts its main role in the first trimester.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The ameloblast movement in rat incisor. L.M., S.E.M. and C.L.S.M. study.

The internal epithelium of enamel organ and the below enamel surface during growth of the lower incisor, were examinated in ten Wistar rat 12-27 weeks old and weighing between 150/200 gr, by means of immuno histochemical, light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Our specimens indicate that during the outer enamel secretion the anti-actin positivity goes from distal terminal web to infra nuclear region of cell body. The results of the present study do not support the active movement hypothesis, conversely they support the Warshawsky (1992) hypothesis, i.e. the distal terminal web permits the maintenance and the assembling of ameloblasts during enamel growth. Hence we do agree with Osborn (1970) who reported that, during secretion, ameloblasts move passively in response to secretory forces.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ameloblast morphogenesis during amelogenesis. S.E.M. study.

A study has been carried out on the S.E.M. on the enamel of an albino rat's inferior incisor. The observations concern almost the entire ameloblastic cycle, specifically, from the end of the cellular differentiation phase (pre-ameloblasts III) to the end of the modulation phase. The authors have pointed out some morphogenetical variations which during the depositing phase, are manifested on the distal extremity of the cells and are concentrated at this level in the differentiation of the Tomes' processes. Successively, during the transitional post-secretory and cellular modulation phases, the morphogenetical differences at the distal extremities also involve the lateral walls of the ameloblasts and their spatial relationships. Some morphological differences are correlated with different functional moments and revealed by an examination of the corresponding superficial areas of the enamel in the course of its formation. In this study, the constant orientation of the perpendicular is evident at the secretion plane in opposition with other studies that propose a 'pendulum movement' theory of these cells during the depositing phase of the prismatic layers. In addition, a morphological classification is proposed consisting of four types of modulative ameloblasts.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early events of experimental exposure to amorphous and crystalline silica in the rat: time course of surfactant protein D.

Pneumoconioses determined by chronic inhalation of different kinds of silica present with peculiar clinical and histopathological features. Silicosis, caused by crystalline silica, is characterized by typical fibrous parenchymal nodules. Less defined are pneumoconioses due to amorphous silica. Aim of current experimental research on silicosis is to investigate the early events that lead to nodular fibrosis of the lung. A secretory component of the pulmonary environment, surfactant, seems to be involved in silica toxicity; surfactant protein D is a protein constituent, apparently involved in the homeostasis of the phospholipid component. We studied the behaviour of SP-D 2, 12 and 24 hours after treatment with 200 mg/kg crystalline silica or pumice powder suspended in 400 microl/kg saline solution and instiled intratracheally to rats. Both immunohistochemical localization and immunoblotting quantification demonstrated a sensible increase in intracellular SP-D, localized in alveolar type II cells and some bronchiolar epithelial cells, 2 hours after treatment. Increment appears less marked 12 hours after administration, reaching again levels comparable to control at 24 hours. The behaviour of SP-D after pumice instilation is similar, but with a significantly minor increment at 2 hours. These results indicate crystalline silica as responsible for a stronger acute injury of pulmonary tissue.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acromegalic cardiopathy: a morphofunctional study with color-Doppler echocardiography].

We used color-Doppler echocardiography in an investigation of cardiac morphology and function to verify the cardiac anatomic and functional changes in acromegalic patients with or without hypertension and hyperlipemic states. Fifteen patients with growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (mean age: 47.9 years) and 15 healthy control subjects were studied. We measured serum growth hormone (GH), somatomedin-C, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and carried out echocardiographic studies of the following cardiac morpho-functional parameters: left ventricular diameter, volume, mass and wall systolic stress. Serum GH and somatomedin-C levels were significantly higher in acromegalic patients than in controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Echocardiography evidenced increased left ventricular mass (60% of the acromegalic patients; p < 0.05) and increased wall systolic stress (53.3%; p < 0.05). Color-Doppler analysis evidenced abnormal diastolic function in 8 acromegalic patients (p < 0.001). We thus conclude that the most characteristic feature of acromegalic heart disease is left ventricular involvement, diastolic dysfunction, increased left ventricular mass or wall systolic stress. The pathogenesis is most probably multifactorial: essential hypertension, associated with slow and progressive evolution of heart disease, appears to be a determining factor.

Acromegaly↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sarcoglycan and integrin localization in normal human skeletal muscle: a confocal laser scanning microscope study.

Many studies have been performed on the sarcoglycan sub-complex and a7B and b1D integrins, but their distribution and localization patterns along the non-junctional sarcolemma are still not clear. We have carried out an indirect immunofluorescence study on surgical biopsies of normal human skeletal muscle, performing double localization reactions with antibodies to sarcoglycans, integrins and sarcomeric actin. Our results indicate that the tested proteins colocalize with each other. In a few cases, a-sarcoglycan does not colocalize with the other sarcoglycans and integrins. We also demonstrated, by employing antibodies to all the tested proteins, that these proteins can be localized to regions of the sarcolemma corresponding either to the I-band or A-band. Our results seem to confirm the hypothesis of a correlation between the region of the sarcolemma occupied by costameric proteins and the metabolic type (fast or slow) of muscle fibers. On this basis, we suggest that slow fibers are characterized by localization of costameric proteins to I-bands, while fast fibers are characterized by localization of costameric proteins to A-bands. The results open a new line of research in understanding interactions between the components of the DGC and vinculin-talin-integrin complexes in the context of different fiber types. Moreover, the same results may be extended to skeletal muscle fibers affected by neuromuscular diseases to detect possible structural alterations.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical expression of HGF, c-MET and transcription factor STAT3 in colorectal tumors.

By immunohistochemistry, we have investigated the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), HGF-R or c-met and the transcritor factor STAT3 in a series of 80 colorectal tumours (40 adenomas and 40 adenocarcinomas). The expression of HGF, c-met and STAT3 was revealed in 40/40 (100%) of adenomas and in 26/40 (65%) of adenocarcinomas; the remaining 14/40 (35%) carcinomas expressed c-met but failed to express HGF and STAT3. Positive immunoreaction score was defined through the number of stained cells: low (1-10%), moderate (11-50%) and high (>51%). In adenomas, the HGF immunoreaction was high in 33 (82.5%) and moderate in 7 (17.5%); the c-met staining was high in 3 (7.5%) and moderate in 37 (92.5%); and the STAT3 reactivity was high in 25 (62.5%) and moderate in 15(37.5%). In carcinomas, the HGF immunoreaction was moderate in 21 (80.7%) and low in 5 (19.2%); the c-met staining was high in 14 (35%), moderate in 25 (62.5) and low in 1 (2.5%); and the STAT3 reactivity was moderate in 17 (65.3%) and low in 9 (34.6%). In both type of lesions, HGF and c-met showed a membranous and cytoplasmic location. In adenomas, STAT3 was detected in cytoplasm and nucleus and in carcinomas it was limited to cytoplasm. While the HGF/c-met/STAT3 expression in adenomas was significantly different from carcinomas (c2 = 17, p < 0.0001), no correlation was found among HGF, c-met, or STAT3 immunostaining with histotype or degree of dysplasia in adenomas and the same for histotype, grading or staging in carcinomas. These features, suggesting a role of the HGF/c-met/STAT3 signal in colon tumorigenesis, indicate that a reduced expression of HGF and c-met is associated to progression of adenoma into carcinoma.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The synaptic ribbons in the retina of the turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans): ultrastructural and chronobiological study].

The Authors investigate the morphology and the behaviour of the synaptic ribbons (NS) in the outer plexiform layer of the retina of the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans during the 24 hrs cycle; the animals were subjected to a light-dark cycle = 12:12 hours. New ultrastructural features are demonstrated in the rod arciform density and in the fibers connecting the central axis of the ribbon with the presynaptic membrane (Figs. 1 A-B). As to chronobiological data, the existence of different kinds of ribbons, each typical of a single period of the 24 hrs cycle is excluded: identical NS can likewise be observed at different hours of the day and under various environmental light stimulations (Figs. 2-3-4). Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that during the light period, every rod synapse in the outer plexiform layer has a typical ultrastructural topography of its own (Figs. 5 A-B-C). During the dark period, the ribbon with its neighbouring vesicles moves towards the nucleus, thus leaving the synaptic region (Figs. 6 A-B-C). From the analysis of our results, we are of the opinion that all previously demonstrated changes in number are only in part dependent on cyclic disruption and reconstruction. On the contrary, they can be the result of a different topographical arrangement of the organelles. When NS modify their relationship with the presynaptic membrane of the rods, they may behave as switch on the nervous circuits of the retina and play a facilitatory or inhibitory role on the discharge of synaptic vesicles during the different periods of the 24 hrs cycle.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of hirsutism related to micropolycystic ovary syndrome (MPCO) with two low-dose oestrogen oral contraceptives: a comparative randomized evaluation.

In order to evaluate the clinical and endocrinological efficacy of two low-dose oral contraceptives (OC) containing 30 micrograms Ethinylestradiol (EE) and 150 micrograms Desogestrel (DG) and 75 micrograms Gestodene (GD), respectively, an open randomized study was carried out in 34 young hirsute women, matched for body mass index and age. All of them met endocrine and ultrasonic criteria for Micropolycystic Ovary Syndrome (MPCO). The participants were randomly assigned to one of two pill groups (each of 17). The serum values for Total Testosterone (TT), Free Testosterone (FT), Androstenedione (A), Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS), 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17Pg), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Ceruloplasmin (CP), as well as Ferriman-Gallwey Index (FGI) and Free Androgen Index (FAI) were evaluated prior to and after EE-DG and EE-GD 6 cycle treatment. A significant decrease in TT, FT, A, 17Pg, DHEA, DHEAS, FGI, FAI was observed, SHRG and CP increased significantly. There were no significant differences between the two OC. Our results seem to indicate that both OC are equipotent as far as their pharmacological profile and residual androgenic activity are concerned. Therefore, these OC may represent a highly effective and suitable alternative to the treatment of hyperandrogenism related to MPCO.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of desogestrel and gestodene in low-dose oral contraceptive combinations on lipid and lipoprotein status. A randomized prospective study.

This study was designated to assess the effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives (OC) on serum lipids and lipoproteins and to compare, at same oestrogen dose (30 micrograms), the effects of desogestrel (DG) with those of a new progestin, gestodene (GD). Fifty-four young women, matched for Quetelet's Index, age, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking and exercise habits, were randomly assigned to one of two regimens. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total triglycerides (T) and cholesterol (C), apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were measured prior to the OC commencement and after 6-cycle treatment. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHRG) and ceruloplasmin (CP) were determined as well. LDL-C, Apo A, C, T, increased significantly from baseline values, being still the increase within the reference range. Apo B changed proportional to the LDL-C increase. A rise in HDL-C occurred but it was statistically significant in the EE-DG group only. This result would suggest that the EE-DG combination is more estrogen-dominant that the EE-GD combination. However, this hypothesis was not consistent with the increase to the similar extent for SHBG and CP, which reflect the estrogenicity/gestagenicity of the two OCs. The disproportion of change between HDL-C and Apo A in only EE-GD group might reflect some compositional change in HDL particle. There were no significant differences between the two formulations for the parameters investigated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term treatment of hirsutism related to micropolycystic ovary syndrome with a combination type oral contraceptive containing desogestrel.

The antiandrogen effects of an oral contraceptive containing 0.03 mg. Ethinyl Oestradiol and 0.15 mg. Desogestrel have been evaluated in 17 non-obese hirsute women, with normal serum LH and FSH values and their ratio, and evidence for Micropolycystic Ovary Syndrome (MPCO) on ultrasound examination. At the completion of 5 cycles (21 days) of treatment, a statistically significant decrease in serum Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone, Androstenedione levels was observed. Similarly, serum values for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate and 17-OH-Progesterone showed a marked fall. The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) values rose about four-fold, so that the Free Androgen Index was suppressed. The clinical score, evaluated according to the method of Ferriman and Gallwey, was found sharply reduced. Therefore, the well defined improvement of biochemical and clinical parameters, along with the absence of discernible side effects, are undoubtedly confirming the effectiveness of the treatment in hyperandrogenism of women with MPCO.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pituitary enlargement in post-surgical hypothyroidism misdiagnosed as thyrotroph neoplasia. Report of a case.

Primary hypothyroidism may be associated with enlargement of the sella turcica, due to thyrotroph hyperplasia, in its turn due to the lack of feedback control by thyroid hormones. It may develop independently of the severity or of the duration of thyroid failure. A 42-year-old woman was referred to us. She presented us with a CT scan compatible with a pituitary microadenoma, in the left part of the sella. The patient showed obvious signs of myxedema, due to subtotal thyroidectomy which had been performed 14 months before, because of the presence of multinodular goiter. After operation, the patient has been discontinuously and inappropriately treated with desiccated thyroid. She complained of headache, nausea, galactorrhea without amenorrhea. Serum T4 (0.8 micrograms/dl), serum T3 (47 ng/dl) and TSH (174.5 +/- 60.1 mU/l: M +/- SD of 4 assays) were compatible with primary hypothyroidism as confirmed by TSH hyper-response to i.v. TRH (200 micrograms) and i.v. domperidone (10 mg), and by the normal TSH decrease after orally administered 2.5 mg bromocriptine or 90 min continuously infused 800 micrograms GHIRH. Moreover, an abnormal GH response to TRH was observed, whereas basal and appropriately stimulated PRL levels were normal. Serum alpha-subunit was marginally high (5.92 ng/ml), but alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio fell within the normal range (0.1 molar ratio). Complete suppression of basal and TRH stimulated TSH values was achieved after a 14-day L-T3 (120 micrograms per day) and 4-month L-T4 (200 micrograms per day) administration. L-T4 treatment, first administered at suppressive doses (200 micrograms per day for 4 months) and subsequently at substitutive doses (150 micrograms per day for 2 months), induced complete remission of symptoms along with normalization of the CT scan picture.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effectiveness of short term canrenone treatment in idiopathic hirsutism.

In order to verify the anti-androgenic effects of canrenone, the major metabolite of spironolactone, 9 normally cycling women with post-puberal hirsutism, were orally administered the drug (200 mg per day for three months). In all patients, the clinical score, according to the method of Ferriman and Gallwey (F.G.I.: Ferriman-Gallwey Index), as well as endocrine function tests, including total and free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-OH-progesterone, basal and ACTH stimulated cortisol, were evaluated prior to and after canrenone treatment. A significant reduction in hair growth (F.G.I. = 18 +/- 2 vs 23 +/- 3, p less than 0.001), and also a significant decrease, with regard to endocrine parameters, of total testosterone (0.5 +/- 0.1 vs 0.9 +/- 0.3 p less than 0.01), free testosterone (2.7 +/- 0.7 vs 4.7 +/- 1.7, p less than 0.005), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (228 +/- 38 vs 314 +/- 81, p less than 0.02), and sex hormone binding globulin (62.5% of basal values, p less than 0.001), were observed. Serum levels of 17-OH-progesterone, and basal and ACTH stimulated cortisol were not significantly different from pretreatment values. It is concluded that the biochemical and clinical parameter improvement, along with a well-preserved cortisol secretion (unchanged levels of 17-OH-progesterone), suggest that canrenone may represent an effective therapy for idiopathic post-puberal hirsutism.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radioimmunoassay for human thyroxine-binding prealbumin.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human thyroxine-binding prealbumin (PA) is described. It employs highly purified PA, anti-human PA serum at 1:30,000 final dilution, normal bovine serum as a carrier, and polyethyleneglycol to precipitate the immune complexes. This assay is extremely sensitive (limit of detection less than 0.2 micrograms per dL or less than 3.6 X 10(-15) moles per tube), accurate (recovery = 98.7 +/- 9 percent, mean +/- S.D.) and reproducible (intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation = 3.6 to 6.3 percent and 7.2 to 9.5 percent, respectively). There was a highly significant correlation when the RIA was compared with radical immunodiffusion or with PA maximal binding capacity for thyroxine (r = 0.944 and r = 0.724, respectively, p less than 0.001). Concentration of PA in sera from normal subjects (age range = 20 to 88 years) averaged 27.7 +/- 0.5 mg per dL (mean +/- S.E.M.), with significantly higher values in males than in females in all age groups with the exception of the older subjects (20 to 50 years: males = 26.5 to 37 mg per dL; females = 23.1 to 33.8 mg per dL). Levels of PA progressively declined after the fifth decade of life. Pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, chronic liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, cancer and other non-thyroidal illnesses were associated with decreased levels of serum PA. Untreated hypothyroidism and chronic renal diseases showed widely scattered values of PA. Inherited thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) abnormalities and bisalbuminemia had no apparent effect on concentrations of serum PA.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Etiological characterization of hirsutism by means of a chemometric technique: the linear discriminant analysis".

This preliminary study concerns the evaluation of a chemometric technique, the so called Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) for an adequate nosological characterization of the more common forms of hirsutism: i.e., the Micropolycystic Ovary Syndrome (MPCO) and the Idiopathic Hirsutism (I.H.). The obtained data and, particularly, the evidence of statistically significant values of the Linear Discriminant Function (mean = 12.7; p less than 0.02), clearly show the effectiveness of LDA as a practical and suitable method for a more proper detection and classification of MPCO and I.H.

Adolescent↗