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F Trotta

Publications and source records attributed to F Trotta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Recent advances and future perspective in neuroimaging in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most important complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurring in 14-75% of SLE patients. Neurological and psychiatric involvement is mainly manifested as cerebrovascular disease, seizures, cognitive impairment, headaches and psychosis. However, diagnosis of brain involvement in SLE (i.e., neuropsychiatric lupus: NPSLE) as well as understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms still remains a difficult challenge. Although a wide range of neurodiagnostic tools have been used in the last decade to assess CNS involvement, no single technique has proven to be definitive or reliable. Since neurometabolic impairment, neurochemistry and perfusion abnormalities in NPSLE may precede anatomic lesions, new functional techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion and perfusion weighted imaging, and magnetization transfer imaging may be useful in order to indentify pathologic changes unrevealed by conventional imaging. So these new diagnostic tools could modify diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this major unsolved problem, also shedding some light on the physiopathology of CNS disease in SLE.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMed2004

Visceral leishmaniasis complicating a connective tissue disease: three case reports from Italy.

We report the occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis in three patients coming from the northern part of Italy treated with immunosuppressive drugs for different rheumatic conditions. This paper highlights the importance of adequate work-up in those patients presenting with serious clinical manifestations that can complicate, exacerbate or mimic a systemic connective tissue disorder. A prompt diagnosis is very important because visceral leishmaniasis has a high mortality and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Semeiology of "early arthritis"].

The main problems related to "early arthritis" are making an accurate diagnosis and predicting the outcome. Clinical evidence strongly suggest that structural damage occur early and that early DMARD treatment improves the long term outcome of disease. Clinical criteria would facilitate early referral of the patients to establish the risk of persistent disease. From the "early arthritis clinics" (E.A.C.) experience has been developed a set of diagnostic criteria characterized by an excellent ability to discriminate, at the first visit, between self-limiting, persistent non-erosive and persistent erosive arthritis. The proposed set consists of 7 criteria: symptom duration (6 weeks - 6 months), morning stiffness of at least 1 hour, arthritis in >/= 3 joints, bilateral compression pain in the metatarsophalangeal joints, IgM-rheumatoid factor positivity, anti-cyclic-citrullinated-peptide antibody positivity and erosions on radiographs of the hands or feet. This approach requests an easy organization to simplify the access to sanitary services and represents an hard challenge both for rheumatologist and health administration.

Arthritis↗
PubMed2002

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: a rare cause of erosive arthropathy of the distal interphalangeal finger joints.

BACKGROUND: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare systemic disease, presenting with typical skin abnormalities and erosive polyarthritis, which is often associated with malignancy. CASE REPORT: A case of MRH arthropathy, in which the typical nodular skin manifestation of the disease was absent, is described in a patient with a past history of breast cancer and no evidence of recurrent or new malignancy. RESULTS: Careful clinical and roentgenological evaluation disclosed important clues to differentiate this condition from other more common distal interphalangeal arthritides--namely, osteoarthritis and its "erosive" variant, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, tophaceous gout, dialysis related hand arthropathy, and from the rarer fibroblastic rheumatism, all of which can be mimicked by MRH. Histopathology showed the characteristic histiocytic and multinucleated giant cell infiltrate with ground glass cytoplasm, and immunohistochemical analysis showed markers evocative of a monocyte/macrophage origin of MRH.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Anterior chest wall examination reviewed].

Anterior chest wall involvement is not infrequently observed within inflammatory arthropaties, particularly if one considers seronegative spondyloarthritides and SAPHO syndrome. Physical examination is unreliable and conventional X-rays analysis is an unsatisfactory tool during diagnostic work-up of this region. Scintigraphic techniques yield informations both on the activity and on the anatomical extent of the disease while computerized tomography visualize the elementary lesions, such as erosions, which characterize the process. Moreover, when available, magnetic resonance imaging couple the ability to finely visualize such lesions with the possibility to show early alterations and to characterize the "activity" of the disease, presenting itself as a powerful tool both for diagnosis and follow-up. This review briefly shows the applications of imaging techniques for the evaluation of the anterior chest wall focusing on what has been done in the SAPHO syndrome which can be considered prototypical for this regional involvement since it is the osteo-articular target mainly affected by the disease.

Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoretic resolution of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol atropisomers.

Native beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin (CD), neutral beta-CD derivatives and ethylcarbonate derivatives of beta- and gamma-CD were used as stereoselective additives for CD-capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) resolution of atropisomers of 1,1'-bi-(2-naphthol) (BN). CZE experiments at variable CD concentration allowed calculating binding constants from electrophoretic mobility data, corrected for electroosmotic flow (EOF) and running buffer viscosity variations. The CDs were chosen on the basis of geometric examination of molecular models of BN and CDs that suggested the possibility of inclusion complexes formation. Optimum concentrations, with aqueous 25 mM phosphate running buffer at pH 10.5, 36 cm x 50 microm capillary and 10 kV applied potential, were 3.6, 3.9, 2.1, 2.2, 1.9 mM for beta-CD, gamma-CD, ethylcarbonate-beta-CD, methyl-beta-CD and hydroxypropyl-beta-CD, respectively.

Cyclodextrins↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of neutrophil responses by cyclosporin A. An insight into molecular mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an effective agent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), slowing joint damage progression. Its therapeutic effect on T lymphocytes has been studied extensively, but there is little information available about neutrophils, the cells responsible for a substantial proportion of inflammation. A study was performed to investigate the in vitro effects of CsA on neutrophil functions triggered by several agonists and determine whether the drug could counteract the binding of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) to its receptor and/or modulate changes in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). METHODS: CsA was added to neutrophils 5-50 min before the incubation steps for neutrophil function assays (chemotaxis, superoxide anion production, lysozyme release), calcium measurements and receptor binding experiments. RESULTS: CsA appeared to be particularly effective in lowering chemotaxis, superoxide anion production and lysozyme release induced by different agonists. However, it did not significantly affect either basal or agonist-stimulated neutrophil [Ca(2+)]i and the interaction between fMLP and its receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its in vitro inhibition of neutrophil functions, CsA appears to have considerable potential as an anti-inflammatory drug. Moreover, as it is also a potent immunosuppressive agent, it may reduce the progression of joint damage in RA. More work remains to be done to clarify the molecular mechanism of CsA action on neutrophils.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2001

CNS involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome: prevalence, clinical aspects, diagnostic assessment and therapeutic approach.

Among the systemic manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome, neurological involvement is still an intriguing and debated issue. Although peripheral nervous system abnormalities are a well documented occurrence with a reported prevalence ranging from 10 to 20%, opinions differ as to the prevalence of CNS disease, with suggestions from 'nonexistent' to 'very common'. The lack of agreement probably reflects the different populations selected, different inclusion criteria and lack of rigorous epidemiological studies. In our experience, CNS involvement was detected in 7 of 87 (8%) unselected consecutive patients observed over a period of 5 years. The spectrum of CNS involvement is wide, including focal, diffuse, neuropsychiatric and spinal cord symptoms, frequently characterised by insidious onset, remitting course and, sometimes, progressive evolution. The diagnostic approach enabling early recognition of this complication relies on careful clinical assessment using history and physical examination combined with neuropsychological testing and instrumental, laboratory and imaging investigations such as magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission computed tomography, electrophysiological testing and CSF analysis. The clinical picture often shows spontaneous remission, but when overt neurological symptoms occur or become progressive, therapeutic interventions with high dose corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, such as intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, may be indicated.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene polymorphisms in Behçet's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is strongly expressed in vascular endothelial cells and perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in immunopathologic studies of Behçet's disease (BD) lesions. ICAM-1 genes may contribute to the inflammatory events responsible for the vessel damage in BD. We examined potential associations of ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms with BD susceptibility. METHODS: Case patients were 74 consecutive Italian patients with BD who were followed at the Bologna, Ferrara, Milano, Potenza, Prato, Reggio Emilia, and Trento rheumatology, ophthalmology, and neurology units over a 3 year period (1997-99) who satisfied the International Study Group criteria for BD; 228 healthy Italian blood donors from the same geographic areas were selected as control groups. All BD patients and controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and allele-specific oligonucleotide techniques for ICAM-1 polymorphisms at codon 241 (exon 4) and codon 469 (exon 6). RESULTS: The frequency of R241 was significantly higher in BD patients than in controls (20.3% vs 5.7%; p = 0.001, pcorr = 0.002, OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.3). The distribution of E/K 469 genotype was similar in patients and controls. Comparing patients with different clinical features, we found only a trend to higher frequency of R241 in patients with articular manifestations (21.4% vs 12.5%; p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that G/R 241 polymorphism of ICAM-1 is associated with BD susceptibility.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Association of MICA alleles and HLA-B51 in Italian patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution of the MHC class I chain related gene A transmembrane (MICA-TM) alleles in Italian patients with Behçet's disease (BD), and to investigate the relative contribution of MICA alleles and HLA-B51 in the susceptibility and specific clinical features of BD. METHODS: A total of 69 consecutive Italian patients who satisfied the International Study Group criteria for BD were followed at rheumatology, ophthalmology, and neurology units during a 3 year period (1997-99). We selected 130 healthy subjects from the same geographic areas as controls. All patients and controls were examined for MICA microsatellite polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction. Serological HLA class B51 typing was performed by a standard microlymphocytotoxicity technique. RESULTS: A strong association with HLA-B51 was observed in patients with BD (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.8-11.3). The MICA-TM allele A6, in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B51, was only slightly increased in patients compared to controls (60.9% vs 50.8%; p = NS). No significant associations between HLA-B51 or MICA-TM alleles and clinical subgroups, particularly central nervous system or eye involvement, were found. CONCLUSION: HLA-B51 is the most important susceptibility gene in BD. Association with MICA-A6, when it exists, is secondary to the strong linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B51.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Chromatographic characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers binding the herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

Two polymers binding the herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) were prepared by utilising the technique of the non-covalent molecular imprinting polymerisation in an aqueous medium. The polymers obtained were packed in HPLC columns and the effects of the mobile phase composition on the retention of the imprinting molecule and the selectivity of the stationary phases towards several analogous structures were studied by liquid chromatography. The columns showed a good level of selectivity towards the template and strictly related molecules. It was found that the molecular recognition mechanism acting on the columns was dependent on a combination of ion pair and hydrophobic interactions.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Optimization of the cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoresis separation of the enantiomers of phenoxyacid herbicides.

An ethylcarbonate derivative of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) with three substituents per molecule, hydroxypropyl-beta-CD and native alpha-CD have been tested as resolving agents in the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separation of the four enantiomers of the herbicides mecoprop and dichlorprop. The performances of the three compounds have been quantified by means of two-levels full factorial design and the inclusion constants were calculated from CZE migration time data. Possible structure of inclusion complexes have been proposed, on the basis of molecular mechanics simulations.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Prolonged remission state of refractory adult onset Still's disease following CD34-selected autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

We report a 38-year-old patient affected by refractory adult onset Still's disease who achieved a prolonged remission following CD34-selected ABMT. The conditioning regimen was based on the use of CY and anti-thymocyte globulin. A 3.0 and 2.0 log reduction of T (CD3+) and B (CD19+) lymphocytes, respectively, was obtained using a Ceprate device to select CD34+ cells from PBSC. In the pre-transplant period (1994-1998) the patient had a chronic persistent disease course with frequent and recurrent systemic articular flares and loss of some functional abilities, despite daily prednisone, pulses of CY and immunosuppressive therapy (CYA or MTX). At the time of ABMT the patient had become non-ambulatory. Within 3 weeks of ABMT the patient showed a marked decrease in joint swelling, and morning stiffness. Joint pain and systemic symptoms disappeared, the patient was able to walk and run and gained general well being. ESR, C-reactive protein and WBC count were significantly decreased, while Hb level increased. This partial remission persisted for at least 1 year after ABMT, although at 15 months of follow-up a reappearance of moderate synovitis in the knees and wrists was noted. Our data further showed that both patient BM microenvironment and stem-progenitor cell function (as assessed by LTC-IC assay) were damaged even 1 year after CD34-selected ABMT, suggesting that the persistence of these alterations could have facilitated the favorable outcome of the disease following ABMT. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 1307-1310.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Wegener's granulomatosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

We report a case of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) with pulmonary hemorrhage also satisfying the criteria for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). This association has, to the best of our knowledge, never been described before. Pulmonary hemorrhage may be an early manifestation of several immune and idiopathic disorders such as ANCA-associated vasculitis. Several case-reports of APS patients with capillaritis have been described. A possible explanation is that microvascular thrombosis with subsequent increase in vascular permeability facilitates perivascular IgG and complement deposition leading to development of capillaritis. Whether the vascular disease is secondary to thrombosis or vasculitis or both is important in choosing the proper management strategy. We suggest that anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) should be detected in ANCA-associated vascularitis because they may contribute to life-threatening events superimposed on vascular damage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Bacterial amylolytic activity enhances beta-glucuronidase expression of amylase-negative Escherichia coli strain in starch-medium.

The possibility of associating starch degradation with bacterial beta-glucuronidase expression was examined. We proved that starving, in starch medium, amylase-negative Escherichia coli (M94) which has constitutive beta-glucuronidase greatly reduces (p < 0.01) its background activity, but the addition of both cell-free supernatants or cells of Bacillus subtilis (B10) producing amylase greatly increases (p < 0.01) the E. coli beta-glucuronidase activity. Increases in activity were maximal when amylase in the medium ranged from 0.3 to 0.8 U ml-1 and pH from 6.8 to 6.3, whereas higher amylase activity interacted with E. coli viability and the effect on beta-glucuronidase was less evident. The impact of B. subtilis amylase on E. coli beta-glucuronidase induction, observed when the organisms were co-cultured, indirectly supports the hypothesis that amylolytic activity of hindgut bacteria may be effective on beta-glucuronidase induction of the climax microflora. This last finding is important in the health field, considering the implication between the deconjugating role of this enzyme and consequent activation of toxic and carcinogenic compounds.

Amylases↗
PubMed1999

Oxidative 4-dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase.

The well-known and easily available horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzes the H2O2-dependent oxidative 4-dechlorination of the pollutant 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is recalcitrant to many organisms except those producing ligninases. UV-visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified the oxidized reaction product as 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. NMR and IR spectroscopic data further supported the above characterization. Experimental evidence for the elimination of HCl from the substrate was acquired by detecting the decrease in pH of the reaction mixture, and by observing the presence of the beta-chlorocyclopentadienone cation fragment in the mass spectrum of 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. Consequently, nucleophilic attack by water on the 2,4,6-trichlorocyclohexadienone cation was proposed to give the final product. Our results indicate an oxidative dechlorination pathway catalyzed by HRP for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, similar to that by extracellular lignin peroxidases. The relative catalytic efficiency of HRP seems higher than that of lignin peroxidases. The HRP-H2O2 catalytic system could be utilized in the degradation of polychlorinated phenols for industrial and biotechnological purposes.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1999

Neurological involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome: clinical and instrumental evaluation in a cohort of Italian patients.

To evaluate nervous system involvement in a cohort of Italian patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 87 unselected patients (83 female, and four male) observed consecutively at our institution over a period of 5 years were screened by clinical and instrumental (MRI, SPECT, electrophysiological testing, CSF analysis) investigations for peripheral and central neurological abnormalities. Seroimmunological parameters and extraglandular features other than neurological manifestations were also evaluated. Seven patients had central nervous system (CNS) disease (8%), mostly non-focal dysfunction, and 12 had peripheral nervous system (PNS) disease (13.8%), mostly mild or severe sensory or sensory-motor polyneuropathies. One patient had concomitant CNS and PNS involvement. Compared with CNS disease, PNS involvement occurred in older patients (> 50 years), independent of the disease duration. Patients with and without neurological abnormalities did not differ for seroimmunological parameters (including antiphospholipid antibodies) or extraglandular manifestations. From a statistical point of view, the only relevant finding was the detection of a slight increase in serum IgA and IgM levels (p < 0.05) in patients with an intact nervous system. Neurological involvement in pSS, be it central or peripheral, is not a rare finding. A careful clinical neurological evaluation, combined with a multiplicity of instrumental investigations, is recommended in the global assessment of pSS patients.

Adult↗