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Biomedical subjects

G Morace

Publications and source records attributed to G Morace.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Exoantigen Studies of Sporothrix schenckii, Ceratocystis minor, and Graphium penicilliodes cultures.

Cultures of Sporothrix schenckii were serologically tested by the exoantigen immunodiffusion technique of Kaufman and Standard (L. Kaufman and P.G. Standard, J. Clin. Microbiol. 8:42-45, 1978). This rapid and sensitive technique permitted the identification of 10 isolates of S. schenckii within 3 days. The production of the antigen-antiserum reference system and exoantigens with two different methods are reported. The demonstration of common antigens in S. schenckii and Ceratocystis minor, the suspected perfect state of S. schenckii, indicates that the two are antigenically related; however, the question as to whether C. minor represents the perfect form of S. schenckii will depend upon the induction of a sexual state in S. schenckii.

Animals↗

Possible lateralization of the cardiac sympathetic function in cluster headache.

In cluster headache an adrenergic dysfunction of the pupillary sympathetic system can be demonstrated even during pain-free periods by instillation of tyramine in the conjunctival sac. In this study 10 patients with typical cluster headache syndrome exhibited a positive tyramine conjunctival test (minor mydriatic response in the pain side). As the adrenergic dysfunction may also involve the heart, possible neurogenic changes in ventricular repolarization were investigated in a group of patients with cluster headache by means of a hyperventilation test. When compared to controls, an increase of the QTc interval, a faster heart rate and a minor shortening of the QT interval, were observed. In all cases except one the T waves became bifid or inverted, sometimes showing a pseudoischemic aspect. Since the positive response to hyperventilation seems to depend on an asynchronous repolarization which can, in turn, be related to asymmetric sympathetic function, the present results seem to suggest the presence of a possible lateralization of the cardiac sympathetic function, in cluster headache patients.

Adolescent↗

Pheochromocytoma presenting as possible cardiomyopathy.

A case of pheochromocytoma presenting as a possible hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is reported. In a 67 years old woman without previous history of hypertension, the echocardiogram showed left ventricular concentric hypertrophy and systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve. The carotid pulse was deformed with a spike-and-dome pattern. The complex interactions between myocardial adrenergic receptors sites and catecholamines, and the relation between these substances and the pattern of cardiac hypertrophy are discussed.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to type-B influenza virus.

The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been applied to the detection of antibodies to type B influenza virus. The specificity, the sensitivity and the reproducibility of the indirect method has been evaluated. The Haemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) was used as reference system. The results obtained at a single serum dilution show good correlation between ELISA and HAI test (r = 0.70). Reproducibility is satisfactory. Our results seem to show a better sensitivity of the ELISA test as compared to the HAI test. This feature may be useful for certain applications such as the detection of antibody responses after vaccination. The need of accurate standardization in carrying out the test is pointed out.

Adolescent↗

The detection of serum antibody response to type-B influenza virus in vaccinated individuals by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

The sensibility of the Immunoenzymatic ELISA test for the evaluation of antibody response in individuals vaccinated with inactivated Influenza vaccine was evaluated in comparison with the results obtained by the Haemagglutination inhibition test using type B Influenza virus as antigen. The rate of seroconversion obtained with the two methods versus each class of HAI titre or each interval of OD values of the prevaccine sera showed similar features. In 23% of the cases, however, sero-conversion was observed only by the ELISA test, in 5.4% of the cases only by the HAI test. It is to be assessed whether the serological response revealed by the ELISA test is fully correlated with protection against the disease.

Adult↗

Survey of human pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi in soil from Rome and other Italian areas.

As part of a study sponsored by the Ministry of Health of Italy, a research program on pathogenic actinomycetes, keratinophilic and pathogenic fungi in soil was carried out. Two hundred soil samples, collected from different areas of the city of Rome, Calabria, Emilia Romagna, Latium, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria, were examined by several techniques to detect the widest possible variety of pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi. Seven isolates of Nocardia asteroides, four of Actinomadura madurae and one of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei were isolated for the first time from soil in Italy. In addition, numerous isolates of Petriellidium boydii, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger and keratinophilic fungi of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Chrysosporium were also recovered.

Aspergillus↗

Exoantigen test for identification of Petriellidium boydii cultures.

Cultures of Petriellidium boydii were serologically identified by detection of their exoantigens with an immunodiffusion procedure. The technique, which is specific and sensitive, allowed the rapid identification and differentiation of 12 isolates of P. boydii from numerous other morphologically similar Hyphomycetes. The antigen-antiserum reference system and the production, by two different techniques, of exoantigens used in the identification of P. boydii are described.

Antigens, Fungal↗

[Carcinoid heart disease. Report of a case (author's transl)].

A case of carcinoid tumor characterized by isolated tricuspid insufficiency with stenosis is reported. This valvular disease was characterized by a slight increase of cardiac output and pulmonary pressures. Necropsy did not evidence the site of the primitive tumor. Tricuspid valve lumen was near normal while the pulmonary valve presented slight stenosis. The correlations between clinical feature and necroscopic findings are discussed.

Autopsy↗

Effect of isoproterenol on the "early repolarization" syndrome.

A study has been carried out on a group of subjects with RS-T segment elevation, a normal variant of early repolarization. Following isoproterenol administration, the RS-T segment became isoelectric. In most cases this was accompanied by shorter QT and longer QTc intervals. The same effects were observed after physical exertion but not after atropine or amyl-nitrite. Propranolol administration exaggerated RS-T elevation. Considering the mechanism with which isoproterenol acts and some analogies with the electrocardiographic picture experimentally obtained by means of the unilateral stimulation of the stellate ganglions, the hypothesis is advanced that the normal variant of early repolarization is related to an enhanced activity of the right sympathetic nerves.

Adult↗

Studies on the PR toxin of Penicillium roqueforti.

A mycotoxin, confirmed by chemical, physical and spectroscopic data as the PR toxin described by Ru-Dong Wei and coll. (15) has been isolated from culture filtrates of Penicillium roqueforti Thom. Factors affecting the toxin and mycelium production, acute and chronic toxicity in experimental animals and the frequency of toxinogenesis of 21 isolates of P. roqueforti (including a brown mutant) isolated from different materials, foods especially, were also studied. An hypothesis on the absence of PR toxin in cheeses fermented with P. roqueforti is also advanced.

Animals↗

Antibacterial activity of sisomicin.

A study of the in vitro antibacterial activity of a new aminoglycoside, sisomicin, is reported. The results show no significant differences between the activity of sisomicin and gentamicin.

Enterococcus faecalis↗