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Biomedical subjects

G Gallo

Publications and source records attributed to G Gallo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Use of ultrafiltration in refractory cardiac decompensation].

Traditional therapy for heart failure (diuretics, digitalic compound, vasodilators, inodilatory ACE-inhibitors) cannot arrest the progressive overloading of the circulatory system so that it is inevitable that a refractory stage to all forms of treatment will be reached when more specialised techniques, such as heart transplant and ultrafiltration will be needed. The paper reports the results obtained in 13 patients in ultrafiltration treatment for refractory heart failure: in the majority of these, a marked improvement in general conditions (edema, dyspnea) was recorded together with a regression from class 5 to class 3 NYHA in 5 patients, and to class 2 for others. The ultrafiltration method in spite of not altering the prognosis which remains negative in these patients, allow those waiting for heart transplant to survive and may improve their chances of surviving heart surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Hormonal markers of early-stage osteitis fibrosa in patients on hemodialysis].

The diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy is straightforward when the disease has reached an advanced stage and the pathology is extremely difficult to treat, whereas it is considerably more complex during the early stages. A study was carried out to assess the sensitivity of some biochemical, hormonal and instrumental markers in the early diagnosis of osteitis fibrosa in patients undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic renal insufficiency. Of these markers, the assay of whole molecule PTH appeared to be the most sensitive and specific biological marker.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The incidence of tumors of the oral cavity and salivary glands in cervical adenopathies. Case contributions].

The paper report 592 non-selected cases of cervical adenopathies treated using both simple biopsy and more radical surgery. The predominant sites were right (29.7%) and left (25.2%) laterocervical. Histological tests showed that in 206 cases (34.8%) the pathology was benign and/or aspecific, whereas in 386 cases (65.2%) the presence of metastatic or systemic cancer was identified. Within the scope of metastatic adenopathies, tumors of the oral cavity or salivary glands, if taken together, account for the highest percentage of incidence: 14.2%. For this reason, the presence of cervical adenopathies must be given priority in the search for possible primary lesions affecting all the anatomical structures forming the oral cavity and the adjacent salivary glands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Effect of N-2-acetylaminofluorene on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to epidermal growth factor.

The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is involved in basic cellular processes such as DNA replication and repair, cell differentiation and transformation, gene expression. We have studied the effect of 2AAF, a genotoxic aromatic amine, on pADPRP activity during DNA synthesis stimulated by EGF, using the cultured rat hepatocytes model. DNA synthesis was measured as [3H]thymidine incorporated/microgram DNA while pADPRP activity was expressed in pmol[32P]NAD incorporated/min/microgram DNA. Our results show that 2AAF treatment of EGF-stimulated rat hepatocytes induces a full block of DNA replication which is preceded and accompanied by a net inhibition of endogenous and total pADPRP activity, respectively. A block in pADPRP activity in normal hepatocytes, exposed to 2AAF in vitro or in vivo, could play a key role in cell transformation. Our data add further information on the possible involvement of this nuclear catalytic activity during DNA replication.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗
PubMed1992

[Severe sideropenic anemia in a young middle-distance runner].

In recent years several cases of anemia (iron deficiency) have been reported in adults who participate in long-distance running although its etiology has not been entirely explained. We report the case of a 16-year-old girl who had participated in middle-distance running at a competitive level for about three years and who had been admitted to hospital because of a progressive weakness and a reduction in her sporting performance. Evaluation revealed that the patient had a balanced diet, normal menstrual cycles and slight abdominal pain. The objective examination were negative except for the presence of a pronounced pallor of the skin and the mucous membranes. The blood count revealed Hb 7.5 g%, Ht 26%, GV 63 mu 3, the reticulocyte count was 10%, serum iron 9 micrograms/dl, serum transferrin 450 micrograms/dl and serum ferritin 4 ng/ml. All tests for constitutional anemia proved negative. Stool Hemoccult tests proved negative (these tests were carried out some weeks after the patient had stopped running). Her symptoms resolved after the beginning of iron treatment and her blood test results returned to normal. This case has been reported to draw attention to the existence of this problem in adolescents who practice sport. The knowledge of the problem night lead to a preventive scanning of young athletes and the presence of clinical manifestations would reduce the need for invasive tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Expression of hepatic mRNAs for insulin-like growth factors-I and -II during the development of hypothyroid rats.

The effect of thyroid status on the expression of insulin-like growth factors-I and -II mRNAs in the liver of developing rats has been investigated. Northern blot analyses of the specific mRNA demonstrated the presence of four IGF-II mRNA species which were strongly expressed in fetal liver and progressively declined after birth, becoming undetectable after week 3. This decrease was markedly delayed in the liver of hypothyroid rats. In addition, expression of IGF-I mRNA, absent in fetal liver, began during week 1 after birth and progressively increased with age. This increase was markedly delayed in the liver of hypothyroid rats. The data suggest that thyroid hormones regulate rat development via the co-ordinate expression of hepatic IGF-II and IGF-I mRNAs.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[The evaluation of urinary NAG activity in patients undergoing urography].

A study has been carried out to verify the nephrotoxic effect of hyperosmotic substances used as a contrast medium in radiology employing the enzymuria technique (NAG). The research was carried out in 202 patients, some of whom diabetic, suffering from various pathologies and subjected to perfusion urography by inoculating an iodate contrast medium (isopaque). The result showed that NAG urinary activity grows significant in the 24-36 hours subsequent to X-ray examination in both diabetics and nondiabetics although the increase is greater in the former. After 5-7 days, enzymuria returns to normal in nondiabetic patients but remains high in the diabetic.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1990

Relationship between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and DNA synthesis in cultured hepatocytes.

Previous studies have demonstrated that an increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity could be closely related to DNA replication during liver regeneration and to DNA repair synthesis in different experimental systems. This relationship was further investigated by studying the time course of endogenous and total poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity in cultured rat hepatocytes stimulated by epidermal growth factor. This mitogen has been shown to stimulate DNA synthesis in liver cells both in vivo and in vitro. A 6-fold increase in endogenous activity was observed early after epidermal growth factor addition, just before DNA synthesis. A subsequent 4-fold increment in total enzyme activity, concomitant with DNA synthesis, was detected. Orotic acid, which has recently shown mitoinhibitory effect, abolished the epidermal-growth-factor-induced increase in endogenous and total poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity, as well as DNA synthesis. On the contrary, 3-aminobenzamide inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase completely suppressed the endogenous activity but only partially modified the increase in total catalytic level and the overall pattern of thymidine incorporation. Taken together, these data indicate that, in cultured hepatocytes, the induction of DNA synthesis is supported by an increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Hematoma of the inferior colliculus: uncommon cause of trochlear nerve deficit and contralateral sensory hemisyndrome.

A 57 year old man consulted us for sudden onset of acuphenes in the right ear, followed by diplopia on forward and downward gaze and paresthesias on the right side of the body. Examination of ocular movements revealed a deficit of the superior oblique muscle of the left eye. CT and MR brainscans imaged a punctate bleed of the left inferior colliculus. The patient was discharged after 16 days still complaining of diplopia on forward and downward gaze. There was no change in neurological status at follow-up. It is rare for an intracerebral hematoma to be located in the midbrain. The case we report is distinguished by the smallness of the lesion and the uncommon neurological deficit it caused.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed1990

Morbidity and mortality of patients with sinus node disease: comparative effects of atrial and ventricular pacing.

In patients with sinus node disease (SND), VVI pacing seems an inappropriate method of cardiac stimulation because of its potential adverse hemodynamic and arrhythmic effects. AAI-DDD pacing, preferred because of lower morbidity, may also determine a higher survival rate. We examined retrospectively two groups of patients with SND. Stimulated respectively with VVI pacing (group 1 = 57 patients) and AAI pacing (group 2 = 53 patients). The mean duration of the follow-up interval was 40.1 months for group 1 and 45 months for group 2. Ten patients (17.5%) in the VVI group and five (9.4%) in the AAI died. During the follow-up, in the VVI group three patients developed congestive heart failure and ten developed chronic atrial fibrillation, whereas only one case of heart failure and two with atrial fibrillation have been recorded in the AAI group. Moreover, four patients had embolic complications in group 1. Five patients (9.4%) with AAI pacing were converted to sequential pacing due to the occurrence of second-degree heart block. The statistical analysis was developed by the X2 test for the comparison of the proportion of the events (atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, embolic accidents) in the two groups: a significantly higher morbidity (P less than 0.01) was recorded in the AAI group. Survival is also higher in AAI patients, but the survival rate difference, calculated using the Mantel-Cox method, is not statistically significant. The findings of our study show that in SND the superiority of AAI pacing over VVI is statistically significant as far as morbidity is concerned, and we have also noticed an evident but not statistically significant superiority regarding mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Role of surgery in the therapy of peptic ulcer after arrival of H2-blocking drugs].

This retrospective study was undertaken to determine if the advent of H2-blockers has altered the surgical treatment and the outcome of patients with peptic ulcer disease. The records of patients undergoing surgery for peptic ulcer disease at Montecchio Maggiore Hospital, Vicenza (Italy), from 1968 to 1977 (group A) and from 1979 to 1989 (group B) were reviewed. Data recorded included, ulcer location, surgical procedures (emergency or elective), indications for emergency surgery (perforation, bleeding). Statistical analysis was performed by means of the chi-square test. From 1968 to 1989, 15.810 surgical operations were performed: the indication was peptic ulcer disease in 398 cases (2.51%). The percentage of surgical operations performed for peptic ulcer was 3.54% in group A and 1.55% in group B. A marked decline in surgery for peptic ulcer was noted in group B, concerning both elective and emergency surgery; surgical interventions strongly decreased for both duodenal and gastric ulcer. This study demonstrates that H2-blockers have definitely altered the surgical treatment for peptic ulcer disease.

Duodenal Ulcer↗
PubMed1990

[Comparative effects of atrial and ventricular stimulation on morbidity and mortality in patients with sinus node disease].

In patients with sinus node disease (SND) the VVI pacing seems an inappropriate mode of cardiac stimulation because of its potential hemodynamic and arrhythmic adverse effects. The AAI-DDD pacing, preferred because of a lower morbidity, might also determine higher survival. We examined retrospectively 2 groups of patients with SND respectively stimulated with VVI pacing (Group I:57 patients) and AAI (Group II:53 patients). The mean follow-up was 43 months for Group I and 50 for Group II: 10 (17.5%) patients in VVI group and 5 (9.4%) in AAI group died. During the follow-up in the VVI group 3 patients developed congestive heart failure and 10 chronic atrial fibrillation whereas 1 case of heart failure and 2 of atrial fibrillation have been recorded in AAI group. Moreover, 4 patients had embolic complications in Group I; 5 (9.4%) patients with VVI pacing were converted into sequential pacing owing to occurrence of II degree heart block. The statistical analysis was performed by chi 2 test for the comparison among the proportions of events (atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, embolic accidents) in the 2 groups: a significative higher morbidity (p less than 0.01) was recorded in VVI group. Survival also is higher in AAI patients but the survival rate difference, calculated with Mantel-Cox method, is not statistically significant. The findings of this study show that in SND the superiority of AAI pacing over VVI is statistically significant as regards morbidity and we have also noticed an evident but not statistically significant superiority as regards mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Dieulafoy's vascular malformation as a cause of massive and recurrent gastric hemorrhage].

We demonstrated a Dieulafoy-type vascular malformation in 10 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Most patients had a history of prior bleeding and were older than 60 years of age. A mean of 2.6 endoscopic examinations had been performed, and a mean of 2500 ml of blood transfused per patient. A localized resection of the lesion was performed in 9 patients and a partial gastrectomy in the remaining. Surgery was performed as an emergency in 5 patients. The lesion was a small, 2 to 5 mm, erosion localized in the subcardial region. The vascular nature of the lesion was confirmed by histologic study in all cases. Postoperative course was uneventful in all patients and no recurrences have been observed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Amyloid in familial amyloidosis, Finnish type, is antigenically and structurally related to gelsolin.

Immunohistochemical studies of six patients with familial amyloidosis, Finnish type, showed that their amyloid deposits did not react with polyclonal antibodies against the amyloid proteins of other, established forms of systemic or cerebral amyloidosis. However, strong immunoreactivity was observed with rabbit antiserum raised against a low molecular weight purified amyloid subunit isolated from one of the patients. This immunoreactivity was abolished by absorption with the low molecular weight amyloid fraction. The amino terminal sequence of the amyloid protein subunit was homologous to gelsolin, an actin-modulating protein, and the amyloid deposits in tissues reacted with a monoclonal antibody against gelsolin. These studies show that the amyloid protein in familial amyloidosis, Finnish type, is not related to previously identified forms of amyloid, including prealbumin (transthyretin) variants, but represents a novel amyloidogenic protein related to gelsolin, a plasma and cytoplasmic protein.

Actins↗
PubMed1990

[A comparison between the urinary and serum NAG activity in subjects with chronic nephropathies and essential arterial hypertension].

Various substances can interfere with the urinary activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-glycosaminidase (NAG), particularly certain bacteria that exert inhibitory or enhancing effects on the enzyme. Clearly, all this constitutes a limitation on the use of the technique. For these reasons, in patients suffering from interstitial and glomerular nephropathies and essential arterial hypertension a comparative study was carried out between the activity of urinary and serum NAG to establish if the latter produces more reliable results than the former. The results of urinary NAG activity confirm that there is no significant difference between healthy subjects and those with essential arterial hypertension; on the other hand, nephropathic patients present significantly higher urinary enzyme activity than healthy controls. On the other hand, evaluation of serum NAG does not seem to provide any practical aid as it does not highlight any difference between measurements carried out in healthy subjects and those carried out in hypertensive patients or those suffering from interstitial or glomerular nephropathy.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1989

Studies of the mechanisms of action of the antiretroviral agents hypericin and pseudohypericin.

Administration of the aromatic polycyclic dione compounds hypericin or pseudohypericin to experimental animals provides protection from disease induced by retroviruses that give rise to acute, as well as slowly progressive, diseases. For example, survival from Friend virus-induced leukemia is significantly prolonged by both compounds, with hypericin showing the greater potency. Viremia induced by LP-BM5 murine immunodeficiency virus is markedly suppressed after infrequent dosage of either substance. These compounds affect the retroviral infection and replication cycle at least at two different points: (i) Assembly or processing of intact virions from infected cells was shown to be affected by hypericin. Electron microscopy of hypericin-treated, virus-producing cells revealed the production of particles containing immature or abnormally assembled cores, suggesting the compounds may interfere with processing of gag-encoded precursor polyproteins. The released virions contain no detectable activity of reverse transcriptase. (ii) Hypericin and pseudohypericin also directly inactivate mature and properly assembled retroviruses as determined by assays for reverse transcriptase and infectivity. Accumulating data from our laboratories suggest that these compounds inhibit retroviruses by unconventional mechanisms and that the potential therapeutic value of hypericin and pseudohypericin should be explored in diseases such as AIDS.

Animals↗