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Biomedical subjects

G Longo

Publications and source records attributed to G Longo.

225 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of essential headache in developmental age with L-5-HTP (cross over double-blind study versus placebo)].

Thirty patients (mean age: 10.38 years) affected by primary headache were selected for a double-blind cross-over clinical trial. The patients were randomized into 2 homogeneous groups of 15 and treated for 12 weeks with L-5-HTP (100 mg/day) and placebo as per the following design: placebo - L-5-HTP (group A) and L-5-HTP - placebo (group B). Evaluation was carried out every 3 weeks by the Migraine Index supplying a general assessment of the attacks, i.e. severity, duration and frequency. The decrease in mean score values was directly proportional to L-5-HTP treatment, and statistical significance (Wilcoxon's test) was observed only for L-5-HTP in both groups, from 0.05 to 0.01. Improvement, as evaluated by CGI on percentage distribution of the patients, was homogeneous in both groups.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic asthma in children: comparison between a delayed-action theophylline preparation and a prompt-release aminophylline preparation].

Data from 34 patients were included in the analysis of this open group comparative study comparing a controlled release theophylline given twice daily with immediate release aminophylline given four times daily. The treatment period was of eight weeks duration. There was no significant difference between treatments in clinical assessments of asthma severity or pulmonary function tests. Similarly there were no significant differences between treatments in diary card assessments of asthma symptoms or PERF. Serum theophylline levels were measured prior to the morning dose of test treatment and 2 or 5 hours later, respectively for patients taking immediate release (IR) or controlled release (CR) preparations, at each clinic visit. There was no significant difference between treatments in serum theophylline levels fluctuations, although the dosing interval (12 hours) was twice as long for CR formulation. Six patients reported unusual symptoms, two in the CR group (headache, gastric discomfort) four in the aminophylline group (three headache, one headache and vomiting).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo administration of stem cell factor enhances both proliferation and maturation of murine megakaryocytes.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell factor (SCF) has already been shown to participate in the regulation of erythro- and granulopoiesis. The aim of this study was to define the possible role of SCF in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis. METHODS: Stem cell factor activity has been assessed in an in vivo murine model, in which different doses of the factor were either given alone or in association with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo). Mice were sacrificed after a six-day treatment to evaluate the effect of SCF on the number of bone marrow and spleen colony-forming units-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk), and after a two-day treatment for evaluation of thrombopoietin-like activity. RESULTS: We found that SCF induces a dose-related increase in the number of CFU-Mk in both the bone marrow and spleen of the treated mice, and that in the range of the doses used (from 25 to 200 mg/kg/day) the greatest activity was observed when a dose of 200 mg/kg/day was injected. The effect was enhanced by adding rhEpo to optimal SCF concentrations. SCF also stimulated megakaryocyte maturation as assessed by the megakaryocyte number, the size of acetylcholinesterase-positive cells, 35Sulphur (35S) incorporation into the newly formed platelets. All these parameters were only minimally affected by the addition of rhEpo. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that SCF participates in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis and that its administration might have a role in the treatment of disorders of platelet production.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early hemostatic alterations following bone marrow transplantation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of coagulation system alterations after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and their possible role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications such as veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD) are still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the alterations in hemostatic balance developing during the early period after BMT (up to day +21) and their relationships (if any) with VOD. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (15 autologous and 14 allogeneic BMT) entered the study. No patient suffered from thrombotic and/or major hemorrhagic events. Since there were no differences between the two groups of patients with regard to modifications of coagulation parameters, they were considered together for the purposes of the study. We observed a progressive increase from baseline levels of fibrinogen, factor VIII activity (fVIII:C) and von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf), while factor VII antigen (fVIIAg), protein C and plasminogen significantly decreased. The alterations in these test values were maximal on day +14, with a trend towards normal levels one week later. There was no modification of PT, PTT, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F 1 + 2), fXIIC, tPA, PAI-1, D dimer or protein S levels; serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that some alterations of the hemostatic system, probably a consequence of endothelial damage, can be detected early after BMT, but their clinical significance remains uncertain due to the lack of a correlation between hemostatic test alterations and the occurrence of thrombotic complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral lesions among HIV-infected hemophiliacs. A study of 54 patients.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected individuals develop a large variety of oral manifestations. This study was designed to assess the prevalence and types of oral lesions among HIV-positive hemophiliacs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study population of 54 hemophiliacs was evaluated from February, 1987 to March, 1992 in order to analyze types, prevalence and relationships to clinical stages of HIV-related oral lesions. Thirty-six (67%) of the group of patients were HIV seropositive. The remaining 18 tested negative to HIV during the observation period. RESULTS: The majority of patients suffered from hemophilia A. One patient was also bisexual and two were also intravenous drug abusers. Analysis of patient stage revealed that half had a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count over 0.5 x 10(9)/L cells, 10 between 0.2 and 0.499 x 10(9)/L and 8 showed a count lower than 200 x 10(9)/L. Oral lesions were recorded in 18 (50%) HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs. No oral lesions were observed among the HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs. Advanced stage of immunosuppression and presence of oral lesions were significantly associated (p = 0.040). Candidiasis was the most common disturbance, followed by hairy leukoplakia. Oral herpes simplex infection, necrotizing gingivitis and facial herpes zoster were found in a small number of patients. Those with oral lesions showed a lower median CD4+ T lymphocyte count (0.209 x 10(9)/L cells; range 0.008 to 0.615) when compared to the ones without oral lesions (median CD4+ count was 0.539 x 10(9)/L cells; range 0.042 to 1.180; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs may develop oral lesions during the course of their disease. Candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia are among the most common manifestations. A careful oral examination should be included in the clinical evaluation of all HIV-infected hemophiliacs.

HIV Seropositivity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prostaglandin E2 bladder instillation for the treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a major complication of high-dose cyclophosphamide therapy used in the preparative regimen for allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation. Several viruses (adenovirus, cytomegalovirus and polyomavirus BK) have also been implicated in the etiology of HC. No one established method of treatment is as yet available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HC developed in 10 patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and was BK viruria-associated in all cases. All patients were treated with instillations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) directly into the bladder. RESULTS: A complete resolution of hematuria within a short time (5 +/- 1 days) was observed in all cases; in 4/10 patients urine cleared within 24 hours of the initial treatment. Intravesical PGE2 therapy caused no systemic circulatory or respiratory problems, although bladder spasms occurred in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical prostaglandin E2 instillation appears to be an effective treatment for hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant patients; further studies are required to assess the actual role of BK virus in the pathogenesis of HC in bone marrow transplant patients.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High doses of recombinant human erythropoietin fail to accelerate platelet reconstitution in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) in accelerating erythroid engraftment in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been demonstrated in previous studies. On the other hand, there are experimental data suggesting that high doses of rhEpo might also exert a stimulatory effect on thrombopoiesis. METHODS: We carried out a pilot study on the use of high doses of rhEpo (500 U/kg/day for 30 days after transplant) in ten patients (HD-Epo group) receiving BMT to evaluate the effects on both erythroid and platelet (Plt) engrafment. This group was compared to ten BMT patients who had not received the hormone (Placebo group). RESULTS: The HD-Epo group patients showed signs of accelerated erythropoietic recovery; in fact, the time required to reach a reticulocyte count higher than 30 x 10(9)/L was significantly shorter than in the Placebo group, while the number of high RNA content reticulocytes (HFR) was about three times greater. Circulating transferrin receptor (TfR) levels 30 days after BMT were also significantly higher in the HD-Epo group than in the other. Finally, the number of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the first 30 days following BMT was about twofold lower in the HD-Epo group; moreover, 4/10 patients who were treated with HD-Epo did not require any RBC units. No significant effects on the engraftment of platelets or on the number of Plt transfusions were observed in the HD-Epo as compared to the Placebo group. No adverse effect was noted on granulocytopoiesis, nor were any adverse clinical experiences found in patients who had been treated with erythropoietin at high dosages. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that rhEpo may stimulate erythroid reconstitution after BMT, while its effects on Plt engraftment and on Plt transfusion requirements are minimal.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pretransplant factor XII levels correlate with prognosis in patients undergoing autologous graft for hematological malignancies.

A retrospective analysis of data collected in a previous study suggested that pre-conditioning levels of factor XII might have prognostic value in autologous graft recipients. In order to confirm whether pre-transplant factor XII (pFXII) levels could be correlated with outcome, seventy-six (35 autologous and 41 allogeneic) transplant recipients were prospectively evaluated. A significant direct relationship was found between pFXII levels and both overall and disease-free survival in the autologous grafts, but not in the allogeneic ones. Although the molecular mechanisms of this relationship still need to be clarified, these data seem to justify larger efforts to confirm whether factor XII (FXII) assay should be used in pre-transplant evaluation of patients.

Adolescent↗