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Biomedical subjects

G F Ferraccioli

Publications and source records attributed to G F Ferraccioli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Suppressor effects of histamine on SK/SD delayed hypersensitivity reactions in man and on E-rosette-forming cells.

The effects of histamine on delayed hypersensitivity cutaneous reactions and on the formation of E-rosettes has been evaluated. In vivo, concentrations of 10(-3.6)M of histamine HCL significantly suppresses the cell-mediated reaction to antigen SK/SD at 24 and at 48 h. In vitro, amine significantly inhibits the formation of E-rosettes in normal subjects. The inhibitory effect is significant at concentrations of 10(-4)M for an incubation period at 37 degrees C of 2 h with lymphocytes. The suppressor effect of histamine in vivo may be mediated by an histamine-induced suppressor factor, while the one in vitro by an increase of intracellular cAMP. No anti-H1 and anti-H2 drugs have been employed but the effects of histamine probably depend on H2-receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Lactoferrin in synovial fluid.

The synovial lactoferrin (LF) concentrations of 59 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were determined. The median value of LF was 4.64+/-3.59 mg/100 ml, but in degenerative arthropathy the levels of the metal-protein were much lower and often not titratable. These variations in the LF concentration explain the low blood-iron levels in inflammatory states, even when the concentration of the metal-protein is not statistically correlated in inflammatory tests, IgG, complement fractions (of the normal or alternate pathway), or variations of other protein fractions of leucocyte origin.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of Fas and Fas-L mutations in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders associated with Sjögren's syndrome and type II mixed cryoglobulinemia.

OBJECTIVE: Murine models (MRL/gld/gld mice) and recent evidence in humans suggest a possible role of Fas and Fas ligand (Fas-L) germline mutations in the pathogenesis of autoimmune-related lymphoproliferation, including adult cases. In this study, the presence of Fas and Fas-L germline mutations was investigated in a consecutive series of adult patients with lymphoproliferative disorders occurring in the context of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). METHODS: 11 patients (8 primary SS and 3 type II MC; F/M: 10/1; mean age 64 yrs.) were investigated. All patients were suffering from atypical lymphoproliferative disorders or MALT lymphoproliferative lesions (mean duration 3.5 yrs.). Four patients later developed a malignant lymphoma. DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 11 patients and 10 controls was tested for germline mutations in the Fas gene (exons 4, 8 and 9) and Fas-L gene (exon 4) by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method. RESULTS: All DNA samples from both patients and controls showed amplification of Fas and Fas-L specific fragments. Identical SSCP migration patterns were observed in all the cases, indicating the lack of mutations in the whole series. CONCLUSION: Although it cannot be excluded that Fas and Fas-L mutations might be present in exons different from those analyzed, our data do not support the hypothesis that germline mutations in these genes are responsible for a major subset of lymphoproliferative syndromes in adult patients with SS and type II MC. Additional studies would be worthwhile in SLE-related lymphoproliferation, which is, however, a subset of limited clinical relevance when considering all cases with autoimmune-related lymphoproliferation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Steroid sparing therapeutic approaches to polymyalgia rheumatica-giant cell arteritis. State of the art and perspectives.

The therapeutic approach to polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) remains mainly based on corticosteroids. A few studies in PMR suggest a steroid-sparing effect with methotrexate in a subset of patients. No real alternative to steroids exists in GCA. Given the high chance of long-term treatment with corticosteroids in both diseases, randomized controlled trials with new immunosuppressive steroid-sparing drugs are eagerly awaited.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between physical impairment, psychological variables and pain in rheumatoid disability. An analysis of their relative impact.

Forty-two consecutive female rheumatoid patients were given the AIMS questionnaire in order to determine their disability. Twenty-one had a second assessment one year later. Factorial analysis showed that the Italian version fully respects the construct of the original test. In fact four main factors (the physical, psychological, social and pain dimensions) arose, explaining 44.8%, 13.6%, 11.4% and 9% of the total variance, respectively. A close relationship was demonstrated between psychological variables, namely depression, and physical impairment, as shown by the correlation coefficient matrix. In order to determine whether depression might influence the ultimate outcome twenty-one patients were separated into two subsets according to their initial depression (greater than 5, less than 5). After one year, dexterity and pain were significantly worse in those with the highest depression score. This study shows that the psychological variables, in addition to physical impairment and pain, are of utmost importance in the outcome of rheumatoid patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

DISH and ankylosing spondylitis. Case report and review of the literature.

Ankylosing spondylitis (A.Sp.) and diffuse idiopatic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), represent the most common inflammatory and degenerative enthesopathies, respectively. Despite their rather frequent occurrence in the rheumatic disease care setting, few case reports of their simultaneous presence in the same patient have appeared in the literature. We describe here a further observation and review the rheumatologic literature.

Aged↗