Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Cavallo.
The radiological features of the psoriatic arthritis, already known in the literature, are reviewed by the authors. On the basis of their own record (33 patients), they underline 3 peculiar features of the disease: thickening of the soft tissue involving the whole finger, three joints involvements of the same finger, association of subchondral proliferation and periostitis.
Although the literature recognises the involvement of neuropeptide structures in the genesis of epilepsy, only tentative preliminary data are available at present. Experiments indicate that neuropeptides primarily involved in the genesis of epilepsy are leuencephalin, metencephalin and beta-endorphin. Their convulsion properties are apparently related to the specific levels, locations and convulsive potential of the individual substances. A qualitative and/or quantitative change to the GABA-neuropeptide balance may also be involved in convulsive disorders; decreased GABA fluid levels have been identified in both severely epileptic patients and infants with febrile convulsions. Neuropeptide modulation and GABAergic neurotransmission clearly therefore play a major role in the regulation of cortical bioelectrical activity. It is therefore likely that their interaction is involved in the genesis of epilepsy.
The current state of endoscopic polypectomy of the large intestine is analysed. The indications for this treatment and the main complications arising (haemorrhages, perforations, colonic rupture) are evaluated with details of possible treatment and/or prevention. The connections with histology and surgery are also discussed. Finally, the treatment and follow-up of cancerised rectocolonic polyps are discussed in detail.
A cooperative study between clinical and cytogenetic steps in 44 patients with Ph'+ CGL is reported in order to verific the usefulness of the cytogenetic screening for the diagnosis and the right classification of the patients. The study of the clinical steps is carried out on the basis of the parameters suggested by Tura and coll.; in the one of the cytogenetic steps Sandberg classification modified by the Authors is adopted. In 40 cases the comparison shows a marrow correspondence between clinical and cytogenetic steps. In fact the overage survival in the classical true steps of the disease is almost the sance in the 1st and 2nd step. In the 3rd step the survival is strongly reduced meaning that the more chromosome alterations are observed the more survival is reduced.
Author points out the reduced virulence of M. tuberculosis, that shows itself in a lower number of sputum smears and cultures positive for acid-fast bacilli and in a quick bacteriologic conversion of these cases. The most important test is again sputum smear with demonstration by microscope. No doubt that the use of antitubercular chemotherapy helped this paradoxical return to experimental methods employed by Koch, but on the other hand this use aided in forming some bacterial resistances. Author reminds that M. tuberculosis is supplied with particular characteristics, partly connected with its high lipidic contents. From this diversity as regards other bacteria rises also the difficult discovery of new efficacious antitubercular drugs.
Monoclonal antibodies against murine immune interferon (IFN-gamma) were produced by fusing the murine nonsecreting myeloma cell line P3.X63.Ag8.653 with spleen cells from rats immunized with IFN-gamma-containing supernatants obtained by stimulating a T-cell lymphoma, L12-R4, with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Supernatants from a twice-cloned hybridoma (AN-18.17.24) were found to neutralize and to adsorb in depletion experiments up to 27 units of mouse IFN-gamma but not equivalent amounts of mouse leukocyte or fibroblast IFNs. The AN-18.17.24 monoclonal antibody neutralized to the same extent mouse IFN-gamma from different sources--namely, (i) concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells, (ii) alloantigen-stimulated spleen cells, and (iii) monkey fibroblasts transfected with the cloned gene of murine IFN-gamma. Moreover, the monoclonal antibody displayed species specificity, since it did not neutralize IFN-gamma of human origin. Binding inhibition experiments with murine IFN-gamma preparations exposed to enzymatic or physicochemical degradation demonstrated that the protein moiety and not the carbohydrate residues were responsible for the binding to the AN-18.17.24 monoclonal antibody. Finally, this monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitated two molecular species of IFN-gamma of about 16.8 and 17.8 kilodaltons, respectively, from [35S]methionine- or [3H]glucosamine-labeled supernatants of stimulated L12-R4 cells.
In the present study we have analyzed the electrophoretic mobility of murine IFN-gamma produced by a T-cell lymphoma upon stimulation with phorbol myristic acetate. Two peaks of antiviral activity were recovered after gel electrophoresis of partially purified MuIFN-gamma, in the regions of 30 kd and 43 kd. Since MuIFN-gamma displays a molecular weight of about 16-17 kd in denaturating conditions, the above values represent oligomeric forms, probably composed of two or three units of lower molecular weight.
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In the course of studies evaluating diet as risk factor of atherosclerotic disease, an epidemiological study among 1491 males and 1448 females living in Brisighella, a small village in the Tuscan-Emilian Appenines, was carried out. The methods used in estimating alimentary habits have been described in detail. The weights of all foods eaten by each subject in a 7 day period were also recorded. We considered total intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in g/kg of ideal weight/day and total calories/kg of ideal weight/day and related such values to those given by FAO/WHO. It was observed that mean intake of proteins and fats in g/kg/day and cal/kg/day was always more elevated when compared with those given by FAO/WHO for males and females. Mean intake of carbohydrate, in both sexes, agreed with FAO/WHO values. Therefore, we can affirm that the people of Brisighella have faulty dietary habits, mainly concerning fats. In addition, their daily calorie-intake is too high.
Morphine was demonstrated to exacerbate infections. Experiments were performed to evaluate variations of phagocytic physiology during morphine treatment. In mice, morphine drastically reduced reticuloendothelial system activity, phagocyte count, phagocytic index, killing properties, and superoxide anion production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Similar effects on alveolar macrophage count, phagocytosis, and killing were found in rabbits, a result which suggested a lack of species specificity. Additional experiments demonstrated that morphine (1) induces a reduction of lymphoid organ weight, (2) impairs the ability to eradicate infections and (3) is counteracted in its depressing activity on phagocytic physiology by small amounts of Corynebacterium parvum. The results suggest that there is a close relationship between the fact that morphine exacerbates infections and the fact that morphine depresses phagocytic functions; therefore, the negative effect of morphine on phagocytosis is at least one of the reasons for its negative effect on the development of infections.
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The phagocytic and microbicidal capacity of proteose peptone-induced macrophages from Balb/c mice was assessed in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis in the presence of a subinhibitory concentration of cefazolin. Enhanced phagocytosis (50-60%) and a similar killing effect (99%) after two hours, incubation was noted towards both test organisms. Electron microscopy showed phagocytic activity on both control and antibiotic-treated strains. Since cefazolin does not penetrate macrophages, the peritoneal cell morphology and ultrastructure were unaffected by the drug.
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